SUZUKI DRZ 400 SK5

398cc Petrol Class 2

#2689 of 5426 overall #331 of 680 SUZUKIs #1692 of 2787 other bikes

84.2%

first-time pass rate

7.3%

failed outright

7,260

median miles at test

1,120

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The DRZ 400 SK5's first-time pass rate has risen 6.5 points since 2008, 90.6% to 97.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the DRZ 400 SK5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage DRZ 400 SK5 passes first time 87.2% of the time; by 20k that's 73.7%.

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 400 SK5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	39	25.2	0.6×
brakes	28	18.1	0.5×
steering and suspension	23	14.8	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	13	8.4	0.5×
drive system	13	8.4	1.0×
tyres and wheels	11	7.1	0.4×
reg plates and vin	10	6.5	1.2×
tyres	7	4.5	0.8×
structure and attachments	6	3.9	0.8×
suspension	5	3.2	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 DRZ 400 SK5 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 DRZ 400 SK5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (86.2% pass). Weakest: 2005 (82.8%).

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 400 SK5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI DRZ 400 SK5 reliable?

The SUZUKI DRZ 400 SK5 is about average for its class: 84.2% of its 1,120 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2689 of 5426 models.

What does a DRZ 400 SK5 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 25% of all defects recorded against failed DRZ 400 SK5 tests.

What is the best year of DRZ 400 SK5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (86.2%) and 2005 worst (82.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a DRZ 400 SK5 last?

The median DRZ 400 SK5 shows 7,260 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 73.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.