SUZUKI VZ800

805cc Petrol Class 2

#2852 of 5426 overall #357 of 680 SUZUKIs #1800 of 2787 other bikes

83.5%

first-time pass rate

9.0%

failed outright

13,866

median miles at test

11.8k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The VZ800's first-time pass rate has risen 3.4 points since 2005, 81.7% to 85.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VZ800's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VZ800 passes first time 88.7% of the time; by 50k that's 66.2%.

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 VZ800

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	572	27.2	0.8×
brakes	348	16.6	0.5×
steering and suspension	290	13.8	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	248	11.8	0.9×
tyres and wheels	188	9	0.7×
drive system	97	4.6	0.8×
structure and attachments	94	4.5	0.9×
tyres	93	4.4	0.9×
suspension	92	4.4	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	78	3.7	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 VZ800 beats 3 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 VZ800.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (92.7% pass). Weakest: 2002 (77.7%).

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 VZ800 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI VZ800 reliable?

The SUZUKI VZ800 is about average for its class: 83.5% of its 11,772 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2852 of 5426 models.

What does a VZ800 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 27% of all defects recorded against failed VZ800 tests.

What is the best year of VZ800 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (92.7%) and 2002 worst (77.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VZ800 last?

The median VZ800 shows 13,866 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 66.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.