SUZUKI VL800 K1

805cc Petrol Class 2

#1639 of 5426 overall #187 of 680 SUZUKIs #998 of 2787 other bikes

87.9%

first-time pass rate

6.2%

failed outright

12,374

median miles at test

3,386

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2020

The VL800 K1's first-time pass rate has risen 4.8 points since 2005, 85.1% to 89.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VL800 K1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VL800 K1 passes first time 91.7% of the time; by 50k that's 84.4%.

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 K1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	94	27.6	0.5×
tyres and wheels	70	20.5	1.0×
brakes	68	19.9	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	32	9.4	1.2×
reg plates and vin	29	8.5	1.2×
steering and suspension	20	5.9	0.1×
lamps and reflectors	14	4.1	0.1×
body and structure	6	1.8	0.4×
structure and attachments	5	1.5	0.2×
Other	3	0.9	29.5×

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 VL800 K1 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 K1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (93.6% pass). Weakest: 2002 (87.9%).

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 K1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI VL800 K1 reliable?

The SUZUKI VL800 K1 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.9% of its 3,386 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1639 of 5426 models.

What does a VL800 K1 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed VL800 K1 tests.

What is the best year of VL800 K1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (93.6%) and 2002 worst (87.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VL800 K1 last?

The median VL800 K1 shows 12,374 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 84.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.