SUZUKI BANDIT

650cc Petrol Class 2

#3816 of 5426 overall #526 of 680 SUZUKIs #2422 of 2787 other bikes

78.7%

first-time pass rate

12.9%

failed outright

23,163

median miles at test

16.6k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The BANDIT's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2005 (80.5% → 79.6%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the BANDIT's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage BANDIT passes first time 85.0% of the time; by 50k that's 71.6%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a BANDIT

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	1,301	26.9	1.3×
brakes	1,177	24.3	1.2×
steering and suspension	663	13.7	1.0×
tyres and wheels	422	8.7	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	414	8.5	1.0×
drive system	232	4.8	1.6×
fuel and exhaust	208	4.3	1.5×
reg plates and vin	174	3.6	1.4×
structure and attachments	144	3	1.0×
suspension	108	2.2	0.7×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the BANDIT beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the BANDIT.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2010 (89.8% pass). Weakest: 1990 (67.4%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

SUZUKI BANDIT FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI BANDIT reliable?

The SUZUKI BANDIT is less reliable than average for its class: 78.7% of its 16,625 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3816 of 5426 models.

What does a BANDIT fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 27% of all defects recorded against failed BANDIT tests.

What is the best year of BANDIT to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (89.8%) and 1990 worst (67.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a BANDIT last?

The median BANDIT shows 23,163 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 71.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.