Suzuki GW MOT pass rate and common failures
Suzuki GW motorcycles pass the MOT 86.87% of the time, measured across 434 tests in the DVSA record. A further 6.68% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 35.7% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check excessively binding and less than 1.0 mm thick, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (5.1% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 14,040 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.
Pass rate by age
A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.
| Age at test | Pass rate | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 years | 87.58% | 330 | |
| 11-15 years | 84.62% | 104 |
Why the Suzuki GW fails
Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.
| # | Item | Of failures | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not working | 35.7% | 10 | |
| 2 | Excessively binding | 25% | 7 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 14.3% | 4 | |
| 4 | Too low | 14.3% | 4 | |
| 5 | Contaminated | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 6 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 7 | Excessively loose | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 8 | Has a serious fluid leak | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 9 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 10 | Not working on dipped beam | 10.7% | 3 |
Most common advisories
Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.
| # | Item | Of all tests | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 5.1% | 22 | |
| 2 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 3.9% | 17 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 3.2% | 14 | |
| 4 | Excessively binding | 3% | 13 | |
| 5 | Excessively loose | 2.1% | 9 | |
| 6 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 2.1% | 9 | |
| 7 | Worn to excess | 1.8% | 8 | |
| 8 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 1.4% | 6 | |
| 9 | Has excessive play | 1.4% | 6 | |
| 10 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 1.2% | 5 |
Suzuki GW for sale
No Suzuki GW in stock at the moment - 528 other Suzuki bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piaggio VESPA GTS · 240-300cc | 4,305 | 92.15% | 9,875 | |
| Honda CRF 220-250cc · 220-250cc | 2,452 | 89.76% | 7,549 | |
| Honda NSS 250-297cc · 250-297cc | 1,397 | 90.34% | 17,407 | |
| Honda CRF 300 LA-M · 286cc | 1,297 | 88.43% | 3,963 | |
| BMW G310 · 313cc | 1,129 | 90.79% | 7,243 | |
| Piaggio VESPA GTS 300 SUPER · 277cc | 914 | 93.76% | 12,292 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method