Suzuki Rg500 (1986)
1986 Suzuki Rg500
CarHunch analysed 131 real MOT records for the 1986 Suzuki Rg500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1986 Suzuki RG500 passes its MOT first time at 90.5%, comfortably beating the UK average of 80%, and only 5.3% have ever recorded a dangerous defect—a reassuringly low rate for a bike of this age. These machines are clearly well-maintained by their owners, suggesting the model has either aged gracefully or attracts conscientious custodians.
The median mileage of 17,503 is modest for a near-40-year-old motorcycle, implying most survivors are garage queens or weekend riders rather than hard-used commuters. With just 0.5 average failures and 1.3 advisories per vehicle, the RG500 demands only routine attention—though any prospective buyer should still have a pre-purchase inspection done by a specialist familiar with 1980s two-stroke sports bikes, as parts availability and rebuild costs can be steep.
What to check before buying a 1986 Suzuki Rg500
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 Rg500
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%) | 130 | 90.5% | 0.5 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Suzuki Rg500 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.
Half of all 1986 Suzuki Rg500 vehicles fall between 12,830 and 25,103 miles.
1986 Suzuki Rg500 — Still on the Road
26 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 70% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Suzuki Rg500
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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9.6%
Drive chain slightly loose
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9.6%
Headlamp aim too low
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9%
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies
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9%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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6.4%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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6.4%
Rear suspension bush has slight free play
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5.8%
No lights fitted at time of test
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5.1%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Suzuki Rg500?
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