Ariel Red Hunter vs Suzuki DR-Z400S

The Ariel Red Hunter passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki DR-Z400S: 92.2% vs 80.4%, a 11.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ariel Red Hunter	Suzuki DR-Z400S
First-time pass rate	92.2%	80.4%
Outright fail rate	2.4%	11.1%
Engine size	350cc	398cc
Rank among all models	#434 of 5428	#3493 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,324	6,940
MOT tests analysed	1,422	26,773
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	lighting and signalling

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 DR-Z400S
Lights & signalling	1.2%	6.1%
Brakes	0.6%	3.5%
Steering & suspension	0.7%	3.2%
Tyres & wheels	0.4%	2.6%
Drive system	0.2%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.6%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.7%

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 DR-Z400S
2005	90.2%	76.0%
2006	92.2%	83.5%
2007	91.5%	83.1%
2008	91.7%	80.5%
2009	91.8%	78.2%
2010	92.0%	78.9%
2011	94.8%	78.3%
2012	93.1%	79.8%

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 DR-Z400S
0k-10k miles	93.0%	81.7%
10k-20k miles	86.4%	78.4%
20k-30k miles	95.0%	79.2%
30k-40k miles	98.0%	76.4%
40k-50k miles	92.4%	75.2%
50k-60k miles	90.7%	82.9%

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

Ariel Red Hunter vs Suzuki DR-Z400S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ariel Red Hunter or the Suzuki DR-Z400S?

The Ariel Red Hunter passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki DR-Z400S: 92.2% vs 80.4%, a 11.8-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 DR-Z400S fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.1% of Suzuki DR-Z400S MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ariel Red Hunter or the Suzuki DR-Z400S?

At 50k-60k miles the Ariel Red Hunter passes first time more often: 90.7% for the Ariel Red Hunter vs 82.9% for the Suzuki DR-Z400S.

ARIEL RED HUNTER 92.2% pass · 1,422 tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k tests

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