SUZUKI VZ 800 K5

805cc Petrol Class 2

#2146 of 5426 overall #256 of 680 SUZUKIs #1324 of 2787 other bikes

86.2%

first-time pass rate

6.3%

failed outright

10,767

median miles at test

1,227

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The VZ 800 K5's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.2 points since 2008, 86.2% to 85.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VZ 800 K5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VZ 800 K5 passes first time 89.2% of the time; by 30k that's 66.1%.

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 800 K5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
tyres and wheels	33	25	1.0×
lighting and signalling	28	21.2	0.5×
brakes	26	19.7	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	14	10.6	0.5×
steering and suspension	9	6.8	0.2×
tyres	7	5.3	0.7×
structure and attachments	6	4.5	0.6×
suspension	4	3	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	3	2.3	0.3×
steering	2	1.5	0.4×

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 800 K5 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 800 K5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (89.0% pass). Weakest: 2007 (83.7%).

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 800 K5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI VZ 800 K5 reliable?

The SUZUKI VZ 800 K5 is about average for its class: 86.2% of its 1,227 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2146 of 5426 models.

What does a VZ 800 K5 fail its MOT on most?

tyres and wheels — 25% of all defects recorded against failed VZ 800 K5 tests.

What is the best year of VZ 800 K5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (89.0%) and 2007 worst (83.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VZ 800 K5 last?

The median VZ 800 K5 shows 10,767 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 66.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.