SUZUKI VL800

805cc Petrol Class 2

#1693 of 5426 overall #195 of 680 SUZUKIs #1023 of 2787 other bikes

87.7%

first-time pass rate

6.5%

failed outright

14,869

median miles at test

3,338

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The VL800's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.3 points since 2008, 87.1% to 85.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VL800's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VL800 passes first time 91.3% of the time; by 50k that's 79.5%.

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 VL800

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	118	31.8	1.3×
tyres	59	15.9	2.4×
brakes	50	13.5	0.3×
structure and attachments	38	10.2	1.6×
Identification of the vehicle	32	8.6	4.0×
tyres and wheels	26	7	0.3×
lighting and signalling	20	5.4	0.1×
steering	10	2.7	0.7×
audible warning (Horn)	9	2.4	1.5×
suspension	9	2.4	0.3×

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 VL800 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 VL800.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (91.0% pass). Weakest: 2010 (85.2%).

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 VL800 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI VL800 reliable?

The SUZUKI VL800 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.7% of its 3,338 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1693 of 5426 models.

What does a VL800 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 32% of all defects recorded against failed VL800 tests.

What is the best year of VL800 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (91.0%) and 2011 worst (85.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VL800 last?

The median VL800 shows 14,869 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 79.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.