Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Honda VFR400R3 vs Suzuki AN400
The Suzuki AN400 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR400R3: 86.2% vs 74.3%, a 11.9-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Honda VFR400R3 | Suzuki AN400 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 74.3% | 86.2% |
| Outright fail rate | 17.5% | 9.8% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -7.2 pts | +1.3 pts |
| Engine size | 399cc | 385cc |
| Rank among all models | #4371 of 5428 | #2148 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 32,269 | 15,861 |
| MOT tests analysed | 11,436 | 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.
"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
| Component | Honda VFR400R3 | Suzuki AN400 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 9.3% | 2.6% |
| Brakes | 6.7% | 4.4% |
| Steering & suspension | 7.4% | 2.3% |
| Tyres & wheels | 3.7% | 3.2% |
| Structure & body | 2.5% | 0.3% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 2.1% | 0.4% |
| Drive system | 1.7% | 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
| Test year | Honda VFR400R3 | Suzuki AN400 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 81.2% | 85.7% |
| 2019 | 80.0% | 84.4% |
| 2020 | 87.1% | 84.5% |
| 2021 | 83.4% | 85.1% |
| 2022 | 83.4% | 83.0% |
| 2023 | 86.4% | 83.0% |
| 2024 | 85.3% | 83.1% |
| 2025 | 86.1% | 86.9% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Honda VFR400R3 | Suzuki AN400 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 81.7% | 91.7% |
| 10k-20k miles | 77.5% | 86.7% |
| 20k-30k miles | 75.8% | 82.7% |
| 30k-40k miles | 73.2% | 81.0% |
| 40k-50k miles | 72.1% | 79.7% |
| 50k-60k miles | 70.4% | 75.7% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Honda VFR400R3 vs Suzuki AN400 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Honda VFR400R3 or the Suzuki AN400?
The Suzuki AN400 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR400R3: 86.2% vs 74.3%, a 11.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki AN400 still comes out ahead: -7.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda VFR400R3, +1.3 for the Suzuki AN400. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Honda VFR400R3 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 9.3% of Honda VFR400R3 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (7.4%).
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 Honda VFR400R3 or the Suzuki AN400?
At 50k-60k miles the Suzuki AN400 passes first time more often: 70.4% for the Honda VFR400R3 vs 75.7% for the Suzuki AN400.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.