Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Suzuki DR-Z400S vs Kawasaki ER5
The Suzuki DR-Z400S passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ER5: 80.4% vs 77.4%, a 3.0-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Suzuki DR-Z400S | Kawasaki ER5 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 80.4% | 77.4% |
| Outright fail rate | 11.1% | 14.2% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -6.5 pts | -6.2 pts |
| Engine size | 398cc | 498cc |
| Rank among all models | #3493 of 5428 | #3999 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 6,940 | 21,259 |
| MOT tests analysed | 26,773 | 53,115 |
| 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 | Suzuki DR-Z400S | Kawasaki ER5 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 6.1% | 5.1% |
| Brakes | 3.5% | 6.0% |
| Steering & suspension | 3.2% | 5.4% |
| Tyres & wheels | 2.6% | 3.6% |
| Drive system | 0.8% | 2.3% |
| Structure & body | 0.7% | 1.3% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.6% | 0.8% |
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 DR-Z400S | Kawasaki ER5 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 79.5% | 78.3% |
| 2019 | 82.2% | 77.1% |
| 2020 | 80.0% | 79.4% |
| 2021 | 83.4% | 78.2% |
| 2022 | 81.8% | 77.7% |
| 2023 | 84.9% | 78.2% |
| 2024 | 84.3% | 77.8% |
| 2025 | 83.7% | 79.6% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Suzuki DR-Z400S | Kawasaki ER5 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 81.7% | 87.5% |
| 10k-20k miles | 78.4% | 79.5% |
| 20k-30k miles | 79.2% | 75.4% |
| 30k-40k miles | 76.4% | 71.5% |
| 40k-50k miles | 75.2% | 71.1% |
| 50k-60k miles | 82.9% | 67.1% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Suzuki DR-Z400S vs Kawasaki ER5 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Suzuki DR-Z400S or the Kawasaki ER5?
The Suzuki DR-Z400S passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ER5: 80.4% vs 77.4%, a 3.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-6.5 vs -6.2 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 DR-Z400S fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 6.1% of Suzuki DR-Z400S MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.5%).
What does the Kawasaki ER5 fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 6.0% of Kawasaki ER5 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.4%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Suzuki DR-Z400S or the Kawasaki ER5?
At 50k-60k miles the Suzuki DR-Z400S passes first time more often: 82.9% for the Suzuki DR-Z400S vs 67.1% for the Kawasaki ER5.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.