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League table/ SUZUKI/DRZ400E
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

SUZUKI DRZ400E

398cc Petrol Class 2
#3855 of 5428 overall #534 of 680 SUZUKIs #2444 of 2788 other bikes
78.4%
first-time pass rate
11.5%
failed outright
3,344
median miles at test
990
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-9.6pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

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%.

59%79%100%2006: 92.9% pass (56 tests)2007: 84.0% pass (50 tests)2008: 75.8% pass (62 tests)2009: 70.7% pass (58 tests)2010: 73.2% pass (56 tests)2011: 65.4% pass (52 tests)2012: 77.6% pass (58 tests)2013: 77.8% pass (63 tests)2014: 83.9% pass (56 tests)2015: 79.6% pass (54 tests)2016: 78.2% pass (55 tests)2017: 74.6% pass (59 tests)2018: 81.1% pass (37 tests)2019: 78.6% pass (42 tests)2020: 78.8% pass (33 tests)2021: 85.1% pass (47 tests)2022: 86.4% pass (44 tests)2023: 67.6% pass (34 tests)2024: 83.3% pass (30 tests)2025: 75.0% pass (32 tests)20062025

What fails on a DRZ400E

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects 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 Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k tests Compare head-to-head →

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.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the DRZ400E

More SUZUKI models

other SUZUKI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
SUZUKI GSXR600 76.7% pass · 149k tests
SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests
SUZUKI GSXR750 79.8% pass · 99.2k tests
SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests
SUZUKI GSXR1000 83.8% pass · 97.5k tests
SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k tests

See all SUZUKI models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 2000 (83.1%). Lowest: 2001 (74.2%). Every DRZ400E year compared →

72%79%85%2000: 83.1% pass (71 tests)2001: 74.2% pass (221 tests)2002: 78.7% pass (108 tests)2003: 80.6% pass (222 tests)2004: 79.3% pass (111 tests)2005: 77.7% pass (103 tests)2009: 76.7% pass (60 tests)200020032009

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 #3855 of 5428 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.

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