KTM 350 vs Suzuki DR-Z400S

The KTM 350 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki DR-Z400S: 81.0% vs 80.4%, a 0.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 350	Suzuki DR-Z400S
First-time pass rate	81.0%	80.4%
Outright fail rate	10.3%	11.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-8.5 pts	-6.5 pts
Engine size	350cc	398cc
Rank among all models	#3379 of 5428	#3493 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,811	6,940
MOT tests analysed	3,619	26,773
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	KTM 350	Suzuki DR-Z400S
Lights & signalling	5.4%	6.1%
Steering & suspension	4.1%	3.2%
Tyres & wheels	2.6%	2.6%
Brakes	1.2%	3.5%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.7%
Drive system	0%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.0%	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	KTM 350	Suzuki DR-Z400S
2018	78.1%	79.5%
2019	81.6%	82.2%
2020	82.6%	80.0%
2021	81.2%	83.4%
2022	81.0%	81.8%
2023	84.2%	84.9%
2024	82.4%	84.3%
2025	80.7%	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	KTM 350	Suzuki DR-Z400S
0k-10k miles	81.0%	81.7%
10k-20k miles	89.1%	78.4%

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

KTM 350 vs Suzuki DR-Z400S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 350 or the Suzuki DR-Z400S?

The KTM 350 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki DR-Z400S: 81.0% vs 80.4%, a 0.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki DR-Z400S still comes out ahead: -8.5 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 350, -6.5 for the Suzuki DR-Z400S. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 350 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.4% of KTM 350 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.1%).

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%).

KTM 350 81.0% pass · 3,619 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.