Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Honda VFR400R3 vs Suzuki GS500
The Suzuki GS500 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR400R3: 76.4% vs 74.3%, a 2.1-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Honda VFR400R3 | Suzuki GS500 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 74.3% | 76.4% |
| Outright fail rate | 17.5% | 15.0% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -7.2 pts | -7.1 pts |
| Engine size | 399cc | 487cc |
| Rank among all models | #4371 of 5428 | #4137 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 32,269 | 21,676 |
| MOT tests analysed | 11,436 | 44,924 |
| 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 GS500 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 9.3% | 5.5% |
| Steering & suspension | 7.4% | 6.6% |
| Brakes | 6.7% | 6.3% |
| Tyres & wheels | 3.7% | 3.4% |
| Drive system | 1.7% | 2.0% |
| Structure & body | 2.5% | 1.1% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 2.1% | 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
| Test year | Honda VFR400R3 | Suzuki GS500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 81.2% | 75.8% |
| 2019 | 80.0% | 79.4% |
| 2020 | 87.1% | 76.9% |
| 2021 | 83.4% | 78.9% |
| 2022 | 83.4% | 80.6% |
| 2023 | 86.4% | 78.2% |
| 2024 | 85.3% | 79.7% |
| 2025 | 86.1% | 81.5% |
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 GS500 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 81.7% | 86.4% |
| 10k-20k miles | 77.5% | 78.9% |
| 20k-30k miles | 75.8% | 74.1% |
| 30k-40k miles | 73.2% | 71.5% |
| 40k-50k miles | 72.1% | 68.7% |
| 50k-60k miles | 70.4% | 68.8% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Honda VFR400R3 vs Suzuki GS500 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Honda VFR400R3 or the Suzuki GS500?
The Suzuki GS500 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda VFR400R3: 76.4% vs 74.3%, a 2.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-7.2 vs -7.1 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. 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 GS500 fail its MOT on most?
Steering & suspension: 6.6% of Suzuki GS500 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.3%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda VFR400R3 or the Suzuki GS500?
At 50k-60k miles the Honda VFR400R3 passes first time more often: 70.4% for the Honda VFR400R3 vs 68.8% for the Suzuki GS500.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.