SUZUKI DL

645cc Petrol Class 2

#524 of 5426 overall #49 of 680 SUZUKIs #321 of 2787 other bikes

91.7%

first-time pass rate

4.9%

failed outright

14,065

median miles at test

12.0k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The DL's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2016 (91.4% → 91.1%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage DL passes first time 95.7% of the time; by 50k that's 84.9%.

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 DL

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	251	25.2	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	208	20.9	0.9×
suspension	178	17.9	1.7×
tyres	134	13.4	1.4×
structure and attachments	116	11.6	1.1×
steering	43	4.3	0.8×
tyres and wheels	22	2.2	0.1×
steering and suspension	19	1.9	—
lighting and signalling	15	1.5	—
drive system	11	1.1	0.1×

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 DL beats 4 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 DL.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2017 (97.3% pass). Weakest: 2008 (85.5%).

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 DL FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI DL reliable?

The SUZUKI DL is more reliable than average for its class: 91.7% of its 11,961 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #524 of 5426 models.

What does a DL fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 25% of all defects recorded against failed DL tests.

What is the best year of DL to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (97.3%) and 2008 worst (85.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a DL last?

The median DL shows 14,065 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 84.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.