SUZUKI VL 800 K5

805cc Petrol Class 2

#775 of 5426 overall #79 of 680 SUZUKIs #471 of 2787 other bikes

90.6%

first-time pass rate

4.8%

failed outright

10,564

median miles at test

1,367

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2025

The VL 800 K5's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2008 (91.5% → 90.9%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the VL 800 K5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VL 800 K5 passes first time 93.3% of the time; by 30k that's 85.9%.

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 K5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	30	26.8	0.3×
tyres and wheels	22	19.6	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	17	15.2	0.5×
tyres	12	10.7	1.0×
lighting and signalling	8	7.1	0.1×
reg plates and vin	8	7.1	0.6×
structure and attachments	6	5.4	0.6×
Identification of the vehicle	4	3.6	1.3×
steering and suspension	3	2.7	0.1×
wheels	2	1.8	2.4×

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 VL 800 K5 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 K5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (92.2% pass). Weakest: 2006 (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 K5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI VL 800 K5 reliable?

The SUZUKI VL 800 K5 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.6% of its 1,367 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #775 of 5426 models.

What does a VL 800 K5 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 27% of all defects recorded against failed VL 800 K5 tests.

What is the best year of VL 800 K5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (92.2%) and 2006 worst (90.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VL 800 K5 last?

The median VL 800 K5 shows 10,564 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 85.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.