SUZUKI VZ1600

1552cc Petrol Class 2

#1748 of 5426 overall #204 of 680 SUZUKIs #1058 of 2787 other bikes

87.5%

first-time pass rate

6.2%

failed outright

12,612

median miles at test

770

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2024

The VZ1600's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.1 points since 2008, 87.9% to 84.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VZ1600's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

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

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the VZ1600 beats 2 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 VZ1600.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (92.7% pass). Weakest: 2005 (83.8%).

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

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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 #1748 of 5426 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 — mileage alone rarely kills one.