MOT History from tests of petrol SUZUKI GS500s year 1998

Review the list of common SUZUKI GS500 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your SUZUKI then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:75.51%

(The average a petrol SUZUKI GS500 year 1998 passes without issue)

Based on:3,650 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	165
Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	52
Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	46
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	40
Offside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	40
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	37
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	36
Drive chain worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	26
Rear Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	26
Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	21
Rear Drive chain sprocket worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	20
Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	20
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	20
Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	19
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	18
Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	17
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling \|2.5.1\|	16
Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	16
Offside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	15
Nearside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	14
Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	14
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	13
Front Brake disc\|s\| friction surface contaminated by oil or grease \|3.2.A1k\|	13
Front wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.3.5b\|	13
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey \|7.1.1b\|	13
Rear Brake disc\|s\| excessively scored \|3.2.A1l\|	12
Registration plate issues	12
Nearside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	12
Drive chain excessively tight \|6.2.1d\|	11
Rear Brake disc\|s\| excessively worn \|3.2.A1l\|	11
Front Floor brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.C2c\|	11
Front Brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	10
Steering movement excessively stiff with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	10
Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	9
Rear suspension bush has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	9
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	9
Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	9
Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	9
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	8
Front Brake disc\|s\| excessively worn \|3.2.A1l\|	8
Throttle operating incorrectly \|6.2.1f\|	8
Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	8
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	8
Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	8
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	8
Rear Floor brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.C2c\|	8
Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock \|2.1.4\|	8
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	7
Rear suspension bearing has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	7
Rear Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	7
Front Floor brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.C2c\|	6
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.A2b\|	6
Front Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	6
Locking device\|s\| not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	6
Steering movement excessively stiff with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	6
Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))	6
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	6
Rear suspension movement is excessively stiff \|2.4.A.3b\|	6
Front Front wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.3.5b\|	6
Rear Brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	6
Rear mono-shock pivot excessively worn \|2.4.B.4\|	6
Rear Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	6
Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. \|2.3.6c\|	5
Rear Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	5
Rear Brake locking device missing \|3.2.A1e\|	5
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	5
Rear Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling \|2.5.1\|	5
Front Stop lamp not working \|4.3.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	5
Rear Brake reaction bracket securing bolt\|s\| loose \|3.2.A1j\|	5
Headlamp aim headlamp deteriorated and function impaired \|1.2.3a\|	5
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))	5
Front Drive chain sprocket worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	4
Front Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	4
Steering control handlebar movement restricted by cables caught on a projection \|2.1.2c\|	4
Front Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	4
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	4
Rear Drive chain excessively tight \|6.2.1d\|	4
Rear Drive chain worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	4
Exhaust excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Front Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. \|2.3.6c\|	4
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	4
Front Brake lever is so short and the brake cannot be readily applied \|3.1.3c\|	4
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.7.3a\|	4
Rear Rear suspension bush has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	4
Offside Handlebar deformed \|2.1.1b\|	4
Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	4
Rear Stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	4
Front Plate brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.B1a\|	3
Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Front Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	3
Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	3
Rear Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	3
Front Roller brake test indicates a severely grabbing brake \|3.3.A1b\|	3
Front mudguard insecure \|2.3.7\|	3
Nearside Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Front Brake disc\|s\| excessively scored \|3.2.A1l\|	3
Drive chain excessively loose (6.1.7 (c) (i))	3
Steering control handlebar movement restricted by trapped cables \|2.1.2c\|	3
Rear wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Handlebar mounting clamp bolt loose \|2.1.1a\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	3
Front Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	3
Rear Rear mono-shock pivot excessively worn \|2.4.B.4\|	3
Front Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Front Front mudguard insecure \|2.3.7\|	3
Front Wheel has an excessively distorted bead rim. \|4.2.2\|	3
Rear Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	3
Front Front suspension has excessive stiffness in the suspension movement. \|2.3.6b\|	3
Front Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	3
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))	3
Lower Rear suspension bush has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	3
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the steering \|2.5.1\|	3
Drive chain excessively tight (6.1.7 (k) (i))	3
Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))	3

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	165
Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	52
Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	46
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	40
Offside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	40
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	37
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	36
Drive chain worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	26
Rear Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	26
Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	21
Rear Drive chain sprocket worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	20
Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	20
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	20
Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	19
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	18
Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	17
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling \|2.5.1\|	16
Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	16
Offside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	15
Nearside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	14
Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	14
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	13
Front Brake disc\|s\| friction surface contaminated by oil or grease \|3.2.A1k\|	13
Front wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.3.5b\|	13
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey \|7.1.1b\|	13
Rear Brake disc\|s\| excessively scored \|3.2.A1l\|	12
Registration plate issues	12
Nearside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	12
Drive chain excessively tight \|6.2.1d\|	11
Rear Brake disc\|s\| excessively worn \|3.2.A1l\|	11
Front Floor brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.C2c\|	11
Front Brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	10
Steering movement excessively stiff with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	10
Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	9
Rear suspension bush has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	9
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	9
Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	9
Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	9
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	8
Front Brake disc\|s\| excessively worn \|3.2.A1l\|	8
Throttle operating incorrectly \|6.2.1f\|	8
Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	8
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	8
Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	8
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	8
Rear Floor brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.C2c\|	8
Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock \|2.1.4\|	8
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	7
Rear suspension bearing has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	7
Rear Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	7
Front Floor brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.C2c\|	6
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.A2b\|	6
Front Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	6
Locking device\|s\| not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	6
Steering movement excessively stiff with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	6
Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))	6
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	6
Rear suspension movement is excessively stiff \|2.4.A.3b\|	6
Front Front wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.3.5b\|	6
Rear Brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	6
Rear mono-shock pivot excessively worn \|2.4.B.4\|	6
Rear Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	6
Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. \|2.3.6c\|	5
Rear Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	5
Rear Brake locking device missing \|3.2.A1e\|	5
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	5
Rear Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling \|2.5.1\|	5
Front Stop lamp not working \|4.3.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	5
Rear Brake reaction bracket securing bolt\|s\| loose \|3.2.A1j\|	5
Headlamp aim headlamp deteriorated and function impaired \|1.2.3a\|	5
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))	5
Front Drive chain sprocket worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	4
Front Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	4
Steering control handlebar movement restricted by cables caught on a projection \|2.1.2c\|	4
Front Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	4
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	4
Rear Drive chain excessively tight \|6.2.1d\|	4
Rear Drive chain worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	4
Exhaust excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Front Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. \|2.3.6c\|	4
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	4
Front Brake lever is so short and the brake cannot be readily applied \|3.1.3c\|	4
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.7.3a\|	4
Rear Rear suspension bush has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	4
Offside Handlebar deformed \|2.1.1b\|	4
Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	4
Rear Stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	4
Front Plate brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.B1a\|	3
Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Front Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	3
Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	3
Rear Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	3
Front Roller brake test indicates a severely grabbing brake \|3.3.A1b\|	3
Front mudguard insecure \|2.3.7\|	3
Nearside Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Front Brake disc\|s\| excessively scored \|3.2.A1l\|	3
Drive chain excessively loose (6.1.7 (c) (i))	3
Steering control handlebar movement restricted by trapped cables \|2.1.2c\|	3
Rear wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Handlebar mounting clamp bolt loose \|2.1.1a\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	3
Front Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	3
Rear Rear mono-shock pivot excessively worn \|2.4.B.4\|	3
Front Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Front Front mudguard insecure \|2.3.7\|	3
Front Wheel has an excessively distorted bead rim. \|4.2.2\|	3
Rear Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	3
Front Front suspension has excessive stiffness in the suspension movement. \|2.3.6b\|	3
Front Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	3
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))	3
Lower Rear suspension bush has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	3
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the steering \|2.5.1\|	3
Drive chain excessively tight (6.1.7 (k) (i))	3
Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))	3

MOT History from tests of petrol SUZUKI GS500s year 1998

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