Suzuki GSX550
Real ownership data from 269 UK GSX550 motorcycles — mileage, MOT pass rates and the faults that actually come up, taken from DVSA test records rather than opinion.
Most common GSX550 problems
Ranked by how often each fault appears in this model's MOT history.
| Fault | Severity | Share of faults |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | major | 10.7% |
| Lights and indicators | major | 9.6% |
| Suspension | major | 5.4% |
| Other | fail | 3.9% |
| Tyres | fail | 3.2% |
| Steering and head bearings | fail | 1.9% |
| Brake discs and pads | fail | 1.7% |
| Chain and sprockets | fail | 1.5% |
Advisories (wear noted but not failed) are excluded above; the most common is suspension.
GSX550 mileage and reliability by year
Use this to judge whether a specific bike is high or low mileage for its age.
| Year | Examples | Median mileage | Miles/year | First-time pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 24 | 39,977 mi | 463 | 70.21% |
| 1987 | 25 | 33,186 mi | 479 | 66.67% |
| 1986 | 37 | 36,656 mi | 347 | 80.46% |
| 1985 | 69 | 33,587 mi | 272 | 74.89% |
| 1984 | 34 | 28,106 mi | 302 | 84% |
| 1983 | 53 | 37,583 mi | 336 | 77.04% |
GSX550 questions, answered with data
What are the most common problems with the Suzuki GSX550?
Across 269 UK examples, the most frequently recorded MOT faults are brakes (10.7% of all recorded faults), lights and indicators (9.6% of all recorded faults), suspension (5.4% of all recorded faults).
What is average mileage for a Suzuki GSX550?
The median Suzuki GSX550 in the UK has covered 34,874 miles, and typically rides about 336 miles a year. Half of all examples fall between 24,243 and 46,881 miles.
Is the Suzuki GSX550 reliable?
76.88% of Suzuki GSX550 MOT tests are passed first time, with an average of 1.18 faults recorded per test. This is measured from DVSA MOT records, not owner opinion.
Based on DVSA MOT test records for 269 Suzuki GSX550 motorcycles registered in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.