SUZUKI DR800

779cc Petrol Class 2

#3787 of 5426 overall #521 of 680 SUZUKIs #2404 of 2787 other bikes

78.9%

first-time pass rate

11.1%

failed outright

32,093

median miles at test

868

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The DR800's first-time pass rate has risen 18.2 points since 2006, 70.0% to 88.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the DR800's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage DR800 passes first time 73.8% of the time; by 50k that's 67.5%.

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 DR800

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	67	28.3	1.2×
brakes	63	26.6	1.2×
steering and suspension	33	13.9	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	23	9.7	0.8×
tyres and wheels	15	6.3	0.6×
drive system	9	3.8	1.1×
body and structure	8	3.4	1.2×
suspension	7	3	0.8×
steering	6	2.5	1.4×
reg plates and vin	6	2.5	1.0×

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 DR800 beats 2 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 TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 DR800.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1993 (84.0% pass). Weakest: 1990 (75.1%).

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 DR800 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI DR800 reliable?

The SUZUKI DR800 is less reliable than average for its class: 78.9% of its 868 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3787 of 5426 models.

What does a DR800 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed DR800 tests.

What is the best year of DR800 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1993-registered examples do best (84.0%) and 1990 worst (75.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a DR800 last?

The median DR800 shows 32,093 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 67.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.