SUZUKI DR-Z400SM

398cc Petrol Class 2

#3028 of 5426 overall #387 of 680 SUZUKIs #1921 of 2787 other bikes

82.7%

first-time pass rate

8.9%

failed outright

8,233

median miles at test

7,015

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2025

The DR-Z400SM's first-time pass rate has risen 8.6 points since 2008, 78.0% to 86.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the DR-Z400SM's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage DR-Z400SM passes first time 85.2% of the time; by 40k that's 83.8%.

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-Z400SM

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	392	30.8	0.8×
brakes	222	17.4	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	178	14	1.0×
tyres and wheels	153	12	0.9×
reg plates and vin	73	5.7	1.4×
steering and suspension	69	5.4	0.2×
drive system	62	4.9	0.9×
structure and attachments	56	4.4	0.8×
Identification of the vehicle	34	2.7	2.0×
fuel and exhaust	34	2.7	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-Z400SM beats 3 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 SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k 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-Z400SM.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2000 (86.4% pass). Weakest: 2001 (69.6%).

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-Z400SM FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI DR-Z400SM reliable?

The SUZUKI DR-Z400SM is less reliable than average for its class: 82.7% of its 7,015 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3028 of 5426 models.

What does a DR-Z400SM fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed DR-Z400SM tests.

What is the best year of DR-Z400SM to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2000-registered examples do best (86.4%) and 2001 worst (69.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a DR-Z400SM last?

The median DR-Z400SM shows 8,233 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 83.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.