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Suzuki Gs 500 Ew (1998)

147 real MOT outcomes analysed • 26.6% first-time pass rate

1998 Suzuki Gs 500 Ew

CarHunch analysed 147 real MOT records for the 1998 Suzuki Gs 500 Ew. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1998 Suzuki GS 500 is a reliability red flag: just 26.6% pass first time against the UK average of 80%, meaning three in four fail their MOT. The good news is that genuinely dangerous defects are rare at 3.4%, so failures tend to be fixable issues rather than safety-critical problems.

These bikes are running relatively low mileage for their age (median 23,454 miles), yet still struggle through testing—suggesting age-related wear rather than abuse is the culprit. With an average of 1.1 advisories per vehicle, you're looking at gradual deterioration of fuel systems, electrics, and exhaust components typical of 25-year-old motorcycles. If you're considering one, budget for a full recommissioning from a specialist before riding it, and expect annual MOT costs to be your biggest ownership headache.

Below average reliability 53.4% below UK average
26.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
23,454
typical mileage
16,008–31,670 middle half
3.4%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.35
avg MOT failures per car
over 2.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1998 Suzuki Gs 500 Ew

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Suzuki Gs 500 Ew

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 145 25.6% 0.36
Other (1%) 2 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Suzuki Gs 500 Ew vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

16,008
low mileage
23,454
typical
31,670
high mileage

Half of all 1998 Suzuki Gs 500 Ew vehicles fall between 16,008 and 31,670 miles.

MOT History Averages

2.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.35
Avg failures per vehicle
1.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Suzuki Gs 500 Ew?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK