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Suzuki DL650 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki DL650 car check

Is the Suzuki DL650 reliable? We analysed 21,809 real MOT tests across 2,077 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 21,809 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
88.3%
Typical Mileage
20,435mi
Annual Mileage
1,461mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
22yrs

The Suzuki DL650 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki DL650.

Suzuki DL650 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki DL650. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki DL650 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki DL650 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

90.8%
2016
87.3%
2015
88.9%
2014
92.5%
2013
91.9%
2012
91.9%
2011
91.1%
2010
89.7%
2009
88.4%
2008
87.1%
2007
87.6%
2006
87.5%
2005
85.6%
2004

Suzuki DL650 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki DL650 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 215
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 159
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 105
wheel bearings have excessive free play 74
Drive chain excessively loose 72
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 70

Suzuki DL650 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Suzuki DL650 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 86
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 77

Suzuki DL650 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki DL650 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
527 mi/yr
Typical
1,461 mi/yr
Average
2,431 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,213 mi/yr

Suzuki DL650 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki DL650 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2016 76 90.8% 7,002 12,936 20,690
2015 150 87.3% 11,193 22,670 32,510
2014 117 88.9% 10,160 16,989 24,584
2013 80 92.5% 7,172 16,110 23,943
2012 888 91.9% 9,392 16,188 25,110
2011 1,490 91.9% 10,050 17,595 27,471
2010 1,886 91.1% 10,507 18,754 30,091
2009 2,275 89.7% 11,064 19,760 30,333
2008 1,703 88.4% 12,820 22,719 34,450
2007 2,798 87.1% 11,594 20,546 30,925
2006 1,901 87.6% 12,486 21,642 35,320
2005 5,477 87.5% 11,646 21,210 34,580
2004 2,852 85.6% 12,785 22,426 35,833

How Long Does a Suzuki DL650 Last?

Based on 2,077 Suzuki DL650 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.3 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
22 years

Suzuki DL650 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki DL650 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
20,435 mi
75th Percentile
32,398 mi
95th Percentile
57,528 mi
Max Recorded
332,819 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki DL650

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2013

92.5% MOT pass rate from 80 tests

Year to avoid
2004

85.6% MOT pass rate from 2,852 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki DL650 is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.5% across 80 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki DL650 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki DL650 THIS CAR 88.3% 21,809 20,435 mi 22 yrs
Suzuki Swift 76.1% 2,247,517 51,601 mi 31 yrs
Suzuki Alto 74% 1,154,186 41,167 mi 28 yrs
Suzuki Grand Vitara 76.2% 1,025,634 67,542 mi 28 yrs
Ford P100 65.6% 33,632 49,674 mi 38 yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki DL650 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki DL650?

The Suzuki DL650 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.3% across 21,809 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Suzuki DL650 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (215 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (159), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (105). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Suzuki DL650 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Suzuki DL650 owner drives around 1,461 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Suzuki DL650 models stay on UK roads for around 22 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Suzuki DL650 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki DL650 reliable?
Based on 21,809 MOT tests, the Suzuki DL650 has a 88.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki DL650?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki DL650 do per year?
The typical Suzuki DL650 does around 1,461 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki DL650 last?
Most Suzuki DL650 models stay on UK roads for around 22 years based on our analysis of 2,077 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki DL650?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Suzuki DL650?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki DL650 is 2013 with a 92.5% pass rate across 80 tests.