SUZUKI VZ 1500 L0

1462cc Petrol Class 2

#468 of 5426 overall #45 of 680 SUZUKIs #287 of 2787 other bikes

92.0%

first-time pass rate

3.5%

failed outright

9,620

median miles at test

905

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2013–2025

The VZ 1500 L0's first-time pass rate has fallen 10.8 points since 2013, 91.1% to 80.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VZ 1500 L0's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VZ 1500 L0 passes first time 94.7% of the time; by 20k that's 90.2%.

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 1500 L0

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	13	22.4	0.6×
brakes	10	17.2	0.2×
tyres	10	17.2	1.3×
tyres and wheels	9	15.5	0.4×
structure and attachments	4	6.9	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	3	5.2	1.4×
lighting and signalling	3	5.2	0.1×
reg plates and vin	3	5.2	0.4×
suspension	2	3.4	0.3×
audible warning (Horn)	1	1.7	0.6×

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 1500 L0 beats 3 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 VZ 1500 L0.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (93.6% pass). Weakest: 2012 (90.2%).

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 VZ 1500 L0 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI VZ 1500 L0 reliable?

The SUZUKI VZ 1500 L0 is more reliable than average for its class: 92.0% of its 905 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #468 of 5426 models.

What does a VZ 1500 L0 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 22% of all defects recorded against failed VZ 1500 L0 tests.

What is the best year of VZ 1500 L0 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (93.6%) and 2012 worst (90.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VZ 1500 L0 last?

The median VZ 1500 L0 shows 9,620 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 90.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.