Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Suzuki DR-Z400S vs Royal Enfield Bullet 500
The Royal Enfield Bullet 500 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki DR-Z400S: 88.2% vs 80.4%, a 7.8-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Suzuki DR-Z400S | Royal Enfield Bullet 500 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 80.4% | 88.2% |
| Outright fail rate | 11.1% | 5.2% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -6.5 pts | +1.0 pts |
| Engine size | 398cc | 499cc |
| Rank among all models | #3493 of 5428 | #1544 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 6,940 | 6,826 |
| MOT tests analysed | 26,773 | 25,698 |
| Most common failure | lighting and signalling | 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 DR-Z400S | Royal Enfield Bullet 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 6.1% | 2.9% |
| Brakes | 3.5% | 0.9% |
| Steering & suspension | 3.2% | 0.8% |
| Tyres & wheels | 2.6% | 1.0% |
| Structure & body | 0.7% | 0.5% |
| Drive system | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.6% | 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 DR-Z400S | Royal Enfield Bullet 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 79.5% | 89.4% |
| 2019 | 82.2% | 87.6% |
| 2020 | 80.0% | 90.9% |
| 2021 | 83.4% | 88.3% |
| 2022 | 81.8% | 87.9% |
| 2023 | 84.9% | 89.0% |
| 2024 | 84.3% | 89.6% |
| 2025 | 83.7% | 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 DR-Z400S | Royal Enfield Bullet 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 81.7% | 88.8% |
| 10k-20k miles | 78.4% | 87.2% |
| 20k-30k miles | 79.2% | 86.5% |
| 30k-40k miles | 76.4% | 86.8% |
| 40k-50k miles | 75.2% | 86.6% |
| 50k-60k miles | 82.9% | 86.8% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Suzuki DR-Z400S vs Royal Enfield Bullet 500 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Suzuki DR-Z400S or the Royal Enfield Bullet 500?
The Royal Enfield Bullet 500 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki DR-Z400S: 88.2% vs 80.4%, a 7.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 still comes out ahead: -6.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki DR-Z400S, +1.0 for the Royal Enfield Bullet 500. 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 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 DR-Z400S or the Royal Enfield Bullet 500?
At 50k-60k miles the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 passes first time more often: 82.9% for the Suzuki DR-Z400S 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.