SUZUKI VL1500

1462cc Petrol Class 2

#2230 of 5426 overall #270 of 680 SUZUKIs #1380 of 2787 other bikes

85.9%

first-time pass rate

7.7%

failed outright

18,087

median miles at test

5,179

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The VL1500's first-time pass rate has risen 8.3 points since 2005, 77.8% to 86.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VL1500's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VL1500 passes first time 89.2% of the time; by 50k that's 75.9%.

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 VL1500

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	188	25.9	0.6×
lighting and signalling	127	17.5	0.4×
tyres and wheels	102	14	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	93	12.8	0.8×
steering and suspension	54	7.4	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	52	7.2	1.2×
tyres	44	6.1	1.0×
reg plates and vin	29	4	0.8×
structure and attachments	20	2.8	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	17	2.3	1.4×

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 VL1500 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, SUZUKI GSF1200).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests YAMAHA XJR1300 87.4% pass · 95.1k 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 VL1500.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (90.0% pass). Weakest: 2000 (83.3%).

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 VL1500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI VL1500 reliable?

The SUZUKI VL1500 is about average for its class: 85.9% of its 5,179 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2230 of 5426 models.

What does a VL1500 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 26% of all defects recorded against failed VL1500 tests.

What is the best year of VL1500 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (90.0%) and 2000 worst (83.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VL1500 last?

The median VL1500 shows 18,087 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.