SUZUKI VL800 K4

805cc Petrol Class 2

#959 of 5426 overall #101 of 680 SUZUKIs #589 of 2787 other bikes

90.0%

first-time pass rate

5.3%

failed outright

9,932

median miles at test

3,254

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The VL800 K4's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.4 points since 2007, 93.0% to 90.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VL800 K4's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VL800 K4 passes first time 92.6% of the time; by 50k that's 88.6%.

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 K4

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	80	28.6	0.5×
brakes	63	22.5	0.4×
tyres and wheels	57	20.4	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	19	6.8	0.7×
reg plates and vin	18	6.4	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	13	4.6	0.2×
steering and suspension	13	4.6	0.1×
tyres	8	2.9	0.4×
body and structure	6	2.1	0.4×
Items Not Tested	3	1.1	0.7×

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 K4 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 K4.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (94.6% pass). Weakest: 2007 (88.4%).

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 K4 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI VL800 K4 reliable?

The SUZUKI VL800 K4 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.0% of its 3,254 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #959 of 5426 models.

What does a VL800 K4 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 29% of all defects recorded against failed VL800 K4 tests.

What is the best year of VL800 K4 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (94.6%) and 2007 worst (88.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VL800 K4 last?

The median VL800 K4 shows 9,932 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 88.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.