Velocette KSS vs Suzuki AN400

The Velocette KSS passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki AN400: 92.3% vs 86.2%, a 6.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Velocette KSS	Suzuki AN400
First-time pass rate	92.3%	86.2%
Outright fail rate	2.1%	9.8%
Engine size	350cc	385cc
Rank among all models	#415 of 5428	#2148 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,025	15,861
MOT tests analysed	559	27,056
Most common failure	brakes	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.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Velocette KSS	Suzuki AN400
Brakes	0.7%	4.4%
Tyres & wheels	0.9%	3.2%
Lights & signalling	0.4%	2.6%
Steering & suspension	0.7%	2.3%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.2%	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

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Velocette KSS	Suzuki AN400
2006	95.9%	91.0%
2007	95.6%	88.6%
2008	92.9%	87.6%
2009	93.1%	87.0%
2010	91.5%	86.9%
2011	94.6%	84.6%
2012	85.5%	85.5%

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	Velocette KSS	Suzuki AN400
0k-10k miles	89.9%	91.7%
10k-20k miles	95.1%	86.7%

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

Velocette KSS vs Suzuki AN400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Velocette KSS or the Suzuki AN400?

The Velocette KSS passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki AN400: 92.3% vs 86.2%, a 6.1-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Velocette KSS fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 0.9% of Velocette KSS MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (0.7%).

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%).

VELOCETTE KSS 92.3% pass · 559 tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests

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