1988 Suzuki Gs850 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Gs850 models manufactured in 1988, based on 268 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1988 Suzuki Gs850 MOT Analysis
The 1988 Suzuki Gs850 has an MOT pass rate of 78.0% based on 268 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 37,735 miles on the odometer. With a 22.0% failure rate, the 1988 Gs850 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1988 Suzuki Gs850 is Motorcycle lamps and reflectors, responsible for 0.7% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Motorcycle suspension is the second most common issue at 0.7%. Tyres follows at 0.7%.
Top failures specific to 1988 models only. The overall Gs850 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 0.7% | 2 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Suspension | 0.7% | 2 |
| 3 | Tyres | 0.7% | 2 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.7% | 2 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Brakes | 0.4% | 1 |
| 6 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 37,735 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 0.20 | 0.7% | 2 |
| Motorcycle suspension | 0.20 | 0.7% | 2 |
| Tyres | 0.20 | 0.7% | 2 |
| Brakes | 0.20 | 0.7% | 2 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 0.10 | 0.4% | 1 |
| Body & Structure | 0.10 | 0.4% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1988 Suzuki Gs850 has an MOT pass rate of 78.0% based on 268 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 37,735 miles on the odometer. With a 22.0% failure rate, the 1988 Gs850 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1988 Suzuki Gs850, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to motorcycle lamps and reflectors: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. With relatively low average mileage of 37,735 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors — 0.7% of failures
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1988 Suzuki Gs850 models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Motorcycle suspension — 0.7% of failures
Motorcycle suspension issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1988 Suzuki Gs850 models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Tyres — 0.7% of failures
Tyres issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1988 Suzuki Gs850 models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.