SUZUKI DRZ400

398cc Petrol Class 2

#4012 of 5426 overall #558 of 680 SUZUKIs #2539 of 2787 other bikes

77.3%

first-time pass rate

12.5%

failed outright

5,911

median miles at test

2,655

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The DRZ400's first-time pass rate has risen 8.7 points since 2006, 77.7% to 86.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the DRZ400's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage DRZ400 passes first time 77.1% of the time; by 30k that's 74.4%.

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 DRZ400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	301	34.9	1.5×
steering and suspension	119	13.8	1.1×
brakes	112	13	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	89	10.3	1.1×
tyres and wheels	83	9.6	1.2×
reg plates and vin	78	9	3.7×
drive system	32	3.7	0.9×
structure and attachments	17	2	0.7×
suspension	16	1.9	0.7×
Identification of the vehicle	15	1.7	2.1×

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 DRZ400 beats 1 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 DRZ400.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (85.8% pass). Weakest: 2002 (73.2%).

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.

SUZUKI DRZ400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI DRZ400 reliable?

The SUZUKI DRZ400 is less reliable than average for its class: 77.3% of its 2,655 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4012 of 5426 models.

What does a DRZ400 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 35% of all defects recorded against failed DRZ400 tests.

What is the best year of DRZ400 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (85.8%) and 2002 worst (73.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a DRZ400 last?

The median DRZ400 shows 5,911 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 74.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.