SUZUKI DRZ400E

398cc Petrol Class 2

#3854 of 5426 overall #534 of 680 SUZUKIs #2443 of 2787 other bikes

78.4%

first-time pass rate

11.5%

failed outright

3,344

median miles at test

990

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The DRZ400E's first-time pass rate has fallen 17.9 points since 2006, 92.9% to 75.0%.

What fails on a DRZ400E

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	96	32.2	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	45	15.1	1.3×
steering and suspension	34	11.4	0.9×
brakes	29	9.7	0.7×
tyres and wheels	29	9.7	1.1×
reg plates and vin	21	7	2.8×
suspension	18	6	1.8×
drive system	12	4	1.0×
Identification of the vehicle	7	2.3	3.1×
structure and attachments	7	2.3	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 DRZ400E 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 DRZ400E.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2000 (83.1% pass). Weakest: 2001 (74.2%).

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 DRZ400E FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI DRZ400E reliable?

The SUZUKI DRZ400E is less reliable than average for its class: 78.4% of its 990 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3854 of 5426 models.

What does a DRZ400E fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed DRZ400E tests.

What is the best year of DRZ400E to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2000-registered examples do best (83.1%) and 2001 worst (74.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.