SUZUKI DR-Z400S

398cc Petrol Class 2

#3493 of 5426 overall #475 of 680 SUZUKIs #2227 of 2787 other bikes

80.4%

first-time pass rate

11.1%

failed outright

6,940

median miles at test

26.8k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The DR-Z400S's first-time pass rate has risen 7.7 points since 2005, 76.0% to 83.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the DR-Z400S's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage DR-Z400S passes first time 81.7% of the time; by 50k that's 82.9%.

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 DR-Z400S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	2,326	32.3	1.2×
brakes	1,273	17.7	0.8×
steering and suspension	904	12.6	0.9×
tyres and wheels	746	10.4	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	574	8	0.8×
reg plates and vin	542	7.5	2.7×
drive system	327	4.5	1.2×
suspension	191	2.7	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	169	2.3	0.8×
structure and attachments	150	2.1	0.6×

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 DR-Z400S beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests ROYAL ENFIELD BULLET 500 88.2% pass · 25.7k 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 DR-Z400S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (89.1% pass). Weakest: 2011 (66.0%).

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 DR-Z400S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI DR-Z400S reliable?

The SUZUKI DR-Z400S is less reliable than average for its class: 80.4% of its 26,773 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3493 of 5426 models.

What does a DR-Z400S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed DR-Z400S tests.

What is the best year of DR-Z400S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (89.1%) and 2011 worst (66.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a DR-Z400S last?

The median DR-Z400S shows 6,940 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 82.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.