Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Suzuki AN400 vs Royal Enfield Bullet 500
The Royal Enfield Bullet 500 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki AN400: 88.2% vs 86.2%, a 2.0-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Suzuki AN400 | Royal Enfield Bullet 500 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 86.2% | 88.2% |
| Outright fail rate | 9.8% | 5.2% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +1.3 pts | +1.0 pts |
| Engine size | 385cc | 499cc |
| Rank among all models | #2148 of 5428 | #1544 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 15,861 | 6,826 |
| MOT tests analysed | 27,056 | 25,698 |
| Most common failure | brakes | 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
| Component | Suzuki AN400 | Royal Enfield Bullet 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 2.6% | 2.9% |
| Brakes | 4.4% | 0.9% |
| Tyres & wheels | 3.2% | 1.0% |
| Steering & suspension | 2.3% | 0.8% |
| Structure & body | 0.3% | 0.5% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Drive system | 0% | 0.3% |
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 | Suzuki AN400 | Royal Enfield Bullet 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 85.7% | 89.4% |
| 2019 | 84.4% | 87.6% |
| 2020 | 84.5% | 90.9% |
| 2021 | 85.1% | 88.3% |
| 2022 | 83.0% | 87.9% |
| 2023 | 83.0% | 89.0% |
| 2024 | 83.1% | 89.6% |
| 2025 | 86.9% | 88.8% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Suzuki AN400 | Royal Enfield Bullet 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 91.7% | 88.8% |
| 10k-20k miles | 86.7% | 87.2% |
| 20k-30k miles | 82.7% | 86.5% |
| 30k-40k miles | 81.0% | 86.8% |
| 40k-50k miles | 79.7% | 86.6% |
| 50k-60k miles | 75.7% | 86.8% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Suzuki AN400 vs Royal Enfield Bullet 500 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Suzuki AN400 or the Royal Enfield Bullet 500?
The Royal Enfield Bullet 500 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki AN400: 88.2% vs 86.2%, a 2.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+1.3 vs +1.0 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 Suzuki AN400 fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 4.4% of Suzuki AN400 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (3.2%).
What does the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 2.9% of Royal Enfield Bullet 500 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.0%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Suzuki AN400 or the Royal Enfield Bullet 500?
At 50k-60k miles the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 passes first time more often: 75.7% for the Suzuki AN400 vs 86.8% for the Royal Enfield Bullet 500.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.