Model report · 2005–2025
SUZUKI VZ1500
1462cc
Petrol
Class 2
83.1%
first-time pass rate
13.5%
failed outright
11,922
median miles at test
89
MOT tests, 2005–2025
What fails on a VZ1500
failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
5 | 21.7 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
5 | 21.7 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
4 | 17.4 |
| brakes |
|
3 | 13 |
| body and structure |
|
3 | 13 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
1 | 4.3 |
| steering and suspension |
|
1 | 4.3 |
| suspension |
|
1 | 4.3 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
same type, similar capacity, high test volume
On first-time pass rate the VZ1500 beats 1 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 VZ1500.
Pass rate by registration year
how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date
Best year to buy used: 2010 (86.2% pass). Weakest: 2010 (86.2%).
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.