SUZUKI X5

198cc Petrol Class 1

#1937 of 5426 overall #228 of 680 SUZUKIs #1173 of 2787 other bikes

86.9%

first-time pass rate

6.8%

failed outright

23,337

median miles at test

588

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The X5's first-time pass rate has risen 7.4 points since 2006, 87.2% to 94.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the X5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage X5 passes first time 83.3% of the time; by 40k that's 84.6%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a X5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
steering and suspension	32	31.4	1.2×
lighting and signalling	31	30.4	0.6×
brakes	16	15.7	0.5×
tyres and wheels	10	9.8	0.7×
drive system	4	3.9	0.9×
reg plates and vin	3	2.9	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	2	2	0.1×
driving controls	2	2	1.4×
body and structure	1	1	0.4×
suspension	1	1	0.2×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the X5 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the X5.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1982 (97.2% pass). Weakest: 1979 (81.8%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

SUZUKI X5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI X5 reliable?

The SUZUKI X5 is more reliable than average for its class: 86.9% of its 588 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #1937 of 5426 models.

What does a X5 fail its MOT on most?

steering and suspension — 31% of all defects recorded against failed X5 tests.

What is the best year of X5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1982-registered examples do best (97.2%) and 1979 worst (81.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a X5 last?

The median X5 shows 23,337 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 84.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.