SUZUKI DRZ 400 SM K6

398cc Petrol Class 2

#2984 of 5426 overall #378 of 680 SUZUKIs #1887 of 2787 other bikes

82.9%

first-time pass rate

8.1%

failed outright

8,461

median miles at test

1,694

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2009–2025

The DRZ 400 SM K6's first-time pass rate has risen 6.6 points since 2009, 80.6% to 87.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the DRZ 400 SM K6's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage DRZ 400 SM K6 passes first time 85.7% of the time; by 30k that's 73.3%.

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 400 SM K6

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	86	32.7	0.8×
brakes	51	19.4	0.5×
reg plates and vin	36	13.7	2.4×
lamps and reflectors	22	8.4	0.5×
tyres and wheels	21	8	0.6×
steering and suspension	18	6.8	0.3×
structure and attachments	11	4.2	0.5×
drive system	7	2.7	0.5×
suspension	6	2.3	0.4×
Identification of the vehicle	5	1.9	1.3×

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 SM K6 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 SM K6.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (85.1% pass). Weakest: 2007 (80.7%).

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 SM K6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI DRZ 400 SM K6 reliable?

The SUZUKI DRZ 400 SM K6 is less reliable than average for its class: 82.9% of its 1,694 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2984 of 5426 models.

What does a DRZ 400 SM K6 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 33% of all defects recorded against failed DRZ 400 SM K6 tests.

What is the best year of DRZ 400 SM K6 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (85.1%) and 2007 worst (80.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a DRZ 400 SM K6 last?

The median DRZ 400 SM K6 shows 8,461 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 73.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.