Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
SUZUKI BURGMAN
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The BURGMAN's first-time pass rate has fallen 14.0 points since 2010, 91.4% to 77.4%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage BURGMAN passes first time 88.8% of the time; by 40k that's 81.3%.
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 BURGMAN
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
67 | 34.4 | 1.5× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
30 | 15.4 | 0.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
26 | 13.3 | 1.4× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
20 | 10.3 | 1.2× |
| steering and suspension |
|
18 | 9.2 | 0.6× |
| tyres |
|
13 | 6.7 | 1.8× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
6 | 3.1 | 0.7× |
| steering |
|
6 | 3.1 | 1.2× |
| suspension |
|
5 | 2.6 | 0.8× |
| structure and attachments |
|
4 | 2.1 | 0.5× |
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
On first-time pass rate the BURGMAN beats 0 of its 2 closest rivals (HONDA Forza 300/350, PIAGGIO VESPA GTS 300 SUPER).
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 BURGMAN.
Compare with any bike
More SUZUKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2010 (86.7%). Lowest: 2003 (75.4%). Every Burgman year compared →
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 BURGMAN FAQ
Is the SUZUKI BURGMAN reliable?
The SUZUKI BURGMAN is less reliable than average for its class: 81.7% of its 808 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3241 of 5428 models.
What does a BURGMAN fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 34% of all defects recorded against failed BURGMAN tests.
What is the best year of BURGMAN to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (86.7%) and 2003 worst (75.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a BURGMAN last?
The median BURGMAN shows 16,096 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 81.3% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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