BMW C400 vs Suzuki DR-Z400S

The BMW C400 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki DR-Z400S: 95.1% vs 80.4%, a 14.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	BMW C400	Suzuki DR-Z400S
First-time pass rate	95.1%	80.4%
Outright fail rate	3.1%	11.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.2 pts	-6.5 pts
Engine size	350cc	398cc
Rank among all models	#67 of 5428	#3493 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,877	6,940
MOT tests analysed	1,126	26,773
Most common failure	tyres	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.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

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

Component	BMW C400	Suzuki DR-Z400S
Lights & signalling	0.7%	6.1%
Brakes	0.9%	3.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.2%	2.6%
Steering & suspension	0.5%	3.2%
Drive system	0%	0.8%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.6%

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	BMW C400	Suzuki DR-Z400S
2022	96.2%	81.8%
2023	94.4%	84.9%
2024	96.4%	84.3%
2025	93.9%	83.7%

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	BMW C400	Suzuki DR-Z400S
0k-10k miles	96.4%	81.7%
10k-20k miles	92.6%	78.4%
20k-30k miles	81.3%	79.2%

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

BMW C400 vs Suzuki DR-Z400S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW C400 or the Suzuki DR-Z400S?

The BMW C400 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki DR-Z400S: 95.1% vs 80.4%, a 14.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW C400 still comes out ahead: +6.2 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW C400, -6.5 for the Suzuki DR-Z400S. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW C400 fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 1.2% of BMW C400 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (0.9%).

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 BMW C400 or the Suzuki DR-Z400S?

At 20k-30k miles the BMW C400 passes first time more often: 81.3% for the BMW C400 vs 79.2% for the Suzuki DR-Z400S.

BMW C400 95.1% pass · 1,126 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.