SUZUKI V-STROM

650cc Petrol Class 2

#2196 of 5426 overall #265 of 680 SUZUKIs #85 of 99 adventure bikes

86.0%

first-time pass rate

9.4%

failed outright

19,161

median miles at test

478

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2017

The V-STROM's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.5 points since 2011, 91.2% to 85.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage V-STROM passes first time 90.1% of the time; by 40k that's 81.1%.

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 V-STROM

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	22	27.8
steering and suspension	11	13.9
lighting and signalling	9	11.4
lamps and reflectors	8	10.1
tyres and wheels	7	8.9
steering	6	7.6
structure and attachments	6	7.6
suspension	4	5.1
tyres	4	5.1
fuel and exhaust	2	2.5

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the V-STROM beats 0 of its 2 closest rivals (TRIUMPH TIGER 800, YAMAHA XT 660 Z TENERE).

TRIUMPH TIGER 800 91.6% pass · 6,797 tests YAMAHA XT 660 Z TENERE 87.4% pass · 5,654 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 V-STROM.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (86.9% pass). Weakest: 2007 (81.3%).

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.