SUZUKI VL 800 K3

805cc Petrol Class 2

#1145 of 5426 overall #123 of 680 SUZUKIs #697 of 2787 other bikes

89.4%

first-time pass rate

5.9%

failed outright

9,480

median miles at test

643

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The VL 800 K3's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.8 points since 2006, 97.1% to 92.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VL 800 K3's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VL 800 K3 passes first time 90.2% of the time; by 20k that's 83.1%.

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 VL 800 K3

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	18	26.5	0.4×
brakes	12	17.6	0.3×
tyres and wheels	10	14.7	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	7	10.3	0.6×
reg plates and vin	6	8.8	0.8×
tyres	5	7.4	1.1×
fuel and exhaust	4	5.9	0.8×
steering	2	2.9	0.7×
steering and suspension	2	2.9	0.1×
structure and attachments	2	2.9	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 800 K3 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 800 K3.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (90.4% pass). Weakest: 2003 (90.0%).

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 800 K3 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI VL 800 K3 reliable?

The SUZUKI VL 800 K3 is more reliable than average for its class: 89.4% of its 643 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1145 of 5426 models.

What does a VL 800 K3 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 26% of all defects recorded against failed VL 800 K3 tests.

How many miles will a VL 800 K3 last?

The median VL 800 K3 shows 9,480 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 83.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.