SUZUKI VL 800 K8

805cc Petrol Class 2

#587 of 5426 overall #58 of 680 SUZUKIs #357 of 2787 other bikes

91.4%

first-time pass rate

3.6%

failed outright

9,475

median miles at test

359

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2012–2016

The VL 800 K8's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.9 points since 2012, 97.0% to 87.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VL 800 K8's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VL 800 K8 passes first time 91.0% of the time; by 20k that's 97.3%.

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 K8

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	5	26.3
lighting and signalling	3	15.8
lamps and reflectors	3	15.8
tyres and wheels	2	10.5
reg plates and vin	2	10.5
tyres	2	10.5
Identification of the vehicle	1	5.3
steering and suspension	1	5.3

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 VL 800 K8 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 K8.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (91.7% pass). Weakest: 2008 (91.7%).

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.