SUZUKI DR500

500cc Petrol Class 2

75.2%

first-time pass rate

14.3%

failed outright

28,017

median miles at test

133

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a DR500

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	16	34
tyres and wheels	6	12.8
steering and suspension	5	10.6
lamps and reflectors	5	10.6
drive system	4	8.5
brakes	3	6.4
reg plates and vin	3	6.4
Identification of the vehicle	2	4.3
structure and attachments	2	4.3
wheels	1	2.1

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the DR500 beats 0 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 SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 DR500.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1981 (72.2% pass). Weakest: 1981 (72.2%).

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.