SUZUKI VZ

805cc Petrol Class 2

#1243 of 5426 overall #138 of 680 SUZUKIs #756 of 2787 other bikes

89.1%

first-time pass rate

6.3%

failed outright

9,118

median miles at test

763

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The VZ's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.6 points since 2017, 94.2% to 88.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VZ passes first time 92.4% of the time; by 20k that's 69.6%.

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 VZ

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
tyres	28	35.9	4.4×
brakes	16	20.5	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	13	16.7	1.0×
Identification of the vehicle	5	6.4	2.3×
suspension	4	5.1	0.5×
tyres and wheels	3	3.8	0.2×
reg plates and vin	3	3.8	0.2×
structure and attachments	3	3.8	0.4×
audible warning (Horn)	2	2.6	1.4×
steering and suspension	1	1.3	—

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 VZ 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 VZ.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2014 (91.4% pass). Weakest: 2015 (88.5%).

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 VZ FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI VZ reliable?

The SUZUKI VZ is more reliable than average for its class: 89.1% of its 763 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1243 of 5426 models.

What does a VZ fail its MOT on most?

tyres — 36% of all defects recorded against failed VZ tests.

What is the best year of VZ to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2014-registered examples do best (91.4%) and 2015 worst (88.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VZ last?

The median VZ shows 9,118 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 69.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.