Suzuki DR-Z400SM vs Kawasaki ER5

The Suzuki DR-Z400SM passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ER5 — 82.7% vs 77.4%, a 5.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki DR-Z400SM	Kawasaki ER5
First-time pass rate	82.7%	77.4%
Outright fail rate	8.9%	14.2%
Median miles at test	8,233	21,259
MOT tests analysed	7,015	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.

SUZUKI DR-Z400SM 82.7% pass · 7,015 tests KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests

See each bike's full report — trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals — on its own page.