Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
SUZUKI VZ1600
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The VZ1600's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.1 points since 2008, 87.9% to 84.8%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VZ1600 passes first time 91.6% of the time; by 20k that's 84.7%.
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 VZ1600
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
24 | 26.4 | 0.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
10 | 11 | 0.7× |
| brakes |
|
10 | 11 | 0.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
8 | 8.8 | 0.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
7 | 7.7 | 0.9× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
7 | 7.7 | 1.2× |
| steering and suspension |
|
7 | 7.7 | 0.3× |
| suspension |
|
7 | 7.7 | 1.2× |
| tyres |
|
7 | 7.7 | 1.1× |
| body and structure |
|
4 | 4.4 | 0.8× |
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
On first-time pass rate the VZ1600 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, SUZUKI GSF1200).
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 VZ1600.
Compare with any bike
More SUZUKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2006 (92.7%). Lowest: 2005 (83.8%). Every VZ1600 year compared →
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 VZ1600 FAQ
Is the SUZUKI VZ1600 reliable?
The SUZUKI VZ1600 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.5% of its 770 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1750 of 5428 models.
What does a VZ1600 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 26% of all defects recorded against failed VZ1600 tests.
What is the best year of VZ1600 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (92.7%) and 2005 worst (83.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a VZ1600 last?
The median VZ1600 shows 12,612 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 84.7% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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