SUZUKI VL

805cc Petrol Class 2

#704 of 5426 overall #71 of 680 SUZUKIs #429 of 2787 other bikes

90.9%

first-time pass rate

4.8%

failed outright

9,266

median miles at test

2,453

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The VL's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2017 (90.1% → 89.9%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VL passes first time 93.9% of the time; by 40k that's 73.0%.

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 VL

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	54	29.8	1.1×
tyres	38	21	1.9×
brakes	29	16	0.2×
tyres and wheels	14	7.7	0.2×
Identification of the vehicle	13	7.2	2.3×
structure and attachments	10	5.5	0.4×
lighting and signalling	6	3.3	0.1×
steering and suspension	6	3.3	0.1×
suspension	6	3.3	0.3×
steering	5	2.8	0.5×

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 VL beats 4 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 VL.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2016 (93.5% pass). Weakest: 2005 (87.3%).

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.

SUZUKI VL FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI VL reliable?

The SUZUKI VL is more reliable than average for its class: 90.9% of its 2,453 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #704 of 5426 models.

What does a VL fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 30% of all defects recorded against failed VL tests.

What is the best year of VL to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2016-registered examples do best (93.5%) and 2005 worst (87.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VL last?

The median VL shows 9,266 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 73.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.