SUZUKI KATANA

748cc Petrol Class 2

#3199 of 5426 overall #423 of 680 SUZUKIs #2032 of 2787 other bikes

81.9%

first-time pass rate

11.0%

failed outright

25,868

median miles at test

1,368

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2023

The KATANA's first-time pass rate has risen 25.3 points since 2005, 71.4% to 96.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage KATANA passes first time 78.7% of the time; by 50k that's 90.1%.

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 KATANA

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	114	31.1	1.3×
brakes	94	25.7	1.2×
steering and suspension	70	19.1	1.1×
tyres and wheels	23	6.3	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	17	4.6	1.5×
drive system	15	4.1	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	9	2.5	0.2×
reg plates and vin	9	2.5	0.9×
body and structure	8	2.2	0.8×
structure and attachments	7	1.9	0.4×

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 KATANA beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 KATANA.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1981 (91.9% pass). Weakest: 2000 (68.7%).

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 KATANA FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI KATANA reliable?

The SUZUKI KATANA is less reliable than average for its class: 81.9% of its 1,368 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3199 of 5426 models.

What does a KATANA fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed KATANA tests.

What is the best year of KATANA to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1981-registered examples do best (91.9%) and 2000 worst (68.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KATANA last?

The median KATANA shows 25,868 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 90.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.