SUZUKI DRZ

398cc Petrol Class 2

#3601 of 5426 overall #495 of 680 SUZUKIs #2295 of 2787 other bikes

79.9%

first-time pass rate

11.9%

failed outright

5,566

median miles at test

1,684

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The DRZ's first-time pass rate has risen 12.4 points since 2006, 79.0% to 91.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage DRZ passes first time 80.0% of the time; by 20k that's 79.3%.

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 DRZ

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	148	30.7	1.2×
tyres and wheels	62	12.9	1.4×
brakes	62	12.9	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	54	11.2	0.9×
steering and suspension	52	10.8	0.8×
reg plates and vin	44	9.1	3.7×
drive system	18	3.7	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	17	3.5	1.3×
suspension	16	3.3	1.2×
structure and attachments	9	1.9	0.8×

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 DRZ 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 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 DRZ.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (86.7% pass). Weakest: 2003 (73.4%).

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 DRZ FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI DRZ reliable?

The SUZUKI DRZ is less reliable than average for its class: 79.9% of its 1,684 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3601 of 5426 models.

What does a DRZ fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed DRZ tests.

What is the best year of DRZ to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (86.7%) and 2003 worst (73.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a DRZ last?

The median DRZ shows 5,566 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 79.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.