Ariel Red Hunter vs Suzuki AN400

The Ariel Red Hunter passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki AN400: 92.2% vs 86.2%, a 6.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Ariel Red Hunter	Suzuki AN400
First-time pass rate	92.2%	86.2%
Outright fail rate	2.4%	9.8%
Engine size	350cc	385cc
Rank among all models	#434 of 5428	#2148 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,324	15,861
MOT tests analysed	1,422	27,056
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Ariel Red Hunter	Suzuki AN400
Brakes	0.6%	4.4%
Lights & signalling	1.2%	2.6%
Tyres & wheels	0.4%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	0.7%	2.3%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.3%
Drive system	0.2%	0%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Ariel Red Hunter	Suzuki AN400
2005	90.2%	91.5%
2006	92.2%	91.0%
2007	91.5%	88.6%
2008	91.7%	87.6%
2009	91.8%	87.0%
2010	92.0%	86.9%
2011	94.8%	84.6%
2012	93.1%	85.5%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Ariel Red Hunter	Suzuki AN400
0k-10k miles	93.0%	91.7%
10k-20k miles	86.4%	86.7%
20k-30k miles	95.0%	82.7%
30k-40k miles	98.0%	81.0%
40k-50k miles	92.4%	79.7%
50k-60k miles	90.7%	75.7%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Ariel Red Hunter vs Suzuki AN400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ariel Red Hunter or the Suzuki AN400?

The Ariel Red Hunter passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki AN400: 92.2% vs 86.2%, a 6.0-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ariel Red Hunter fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.2% of Ariel Red Hunter MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.7%).

What does the Suzuki AN400 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.4% of Suzuki AN400 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (3.2%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ariel Red Hunter or the Suzuki AN400?

At 50k-60k miles the Ariel Red Hunter passes first time more often: 90.7% for the Ariel Red Hunter vs 75.7% for the Suzuki AN400.

ARIEL RED HUNTER 92.2% pass · 1,422 tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.