Velocette Viper vs Suzuki AN400

The Velocette Viper passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki AN400: 93.8% vs 86.2%, a 7.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Velocette Viper	Suzuki AN400
First-time pass rate	93.8%	86.2%
Outright fail rate	1.7%	9.8%
Engine size	350cc	385cc
Rank among all models	#198 of 5428	#2148 of 5428
Median miles at test	15,114	15,861
MOT tests analysed	1,970	27,056
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.

What fails, side by side

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

Component	Velocette Viper	Suzuki AN400
Brakes	0.4%	4.4%
Tyres & wheels	0.3%	3.2%
Lights & signalling	0.8%	2.6%
Steering & suspension	0.2%	2.3%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.3%
Drive system	0.1%	0%

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 Viper	Suzuki AN400
2011	92.7%	84.6%
2012	92.3%	85.5%
2013	93.6%	86.9%
2014	95.3%	85.0%
2015	94.8%	86.6%
2016	96.7%	85.5%
2017	95.3%	86.8%
2018	100.0%	85.7%

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 Viper	Suzuki AN400
0k-10k miles	93.4%	91.7%
10k-20k miles	92.6%	86.7%
20k-30k miles	92.9%	82.7%
30k-40k miles	97.0%	81.0%
40k-50k miles	92.5%	79.7%
50k-60k miles	94.5%	75.7%

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

Velocette Viper vs Suzuki AN400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Velocette Viper passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki AN400: 93.8% vs 86.2%, a 7.6-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Velocette Viper fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 0.8% of Velocette Viper MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (0.4%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Velocette Viper or the Suzuki AN400?

At 50k-60k miles the Velocette Viper passes first time more often: 94.5% for the Velocette Viper vs 75.7% for the Suzuki AN400.

VELOCETTE VIPER 93.8% pass · 1,970 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.