Suzuki DR-Z400S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki DR-Z400S car check
Is the Suzuki DR-Z400S reliable? We analysed 32,719 real MOT tests across 3,084 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki DR-Z400S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki DR-Z400S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki DR-Z400S.
Suzuki DR-Z400S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki DR-Z400S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki DR-Z400S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki DR-Z400S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki DR-Z400S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki DR-Z400S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki DR-Z400S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki DR-Z400S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki DR-Z400S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki DR-Z400S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 57 | 71.9% | 842 | 2,346 | 3,613 |
| 2010 | 100 | 92.0% | 200 | 1,381 | 2,411 |
| 2009 | 112 | 83.0% | 1,247 | 4,177 | 7,900 |
| 2008 | 304 | 83.9% | 4,062 | 6,744 | 11,040 |
| 2007 | 758 | 84.4% | 3,569 | 7,494 | 12,974 |
| 2006 | 1,172 | 86.2% | 3,632 | 7,314 | 13,700 |
| 2005 | 1,685 | 83.9% | 2,591 | 5,718 | 9,995 |
| 2004 | 3,644 | 84.2% | 3,146 | 6,703 | 12,535 |
| 2003 | 8,172 | 84.2% | 3,600 | 6,642 | 11,372 |
| 2002 | 7,156 | 83.9% | 3,675 | 6,980 | 11,640 |
| 2001 | 4,758 | 81.8% | 4,219 | 7,862 | 13,407 |
| 2000 | 4,668 | 81.5% | 5,066 | 8,922 | 14,843 |
How Long Does a Suzuki DR-Z400S Last?
Based on 3,084 Suzuki DR-Z400S vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki DR-Z400S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki DR-Z400S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki DR-Z400S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests
71.9% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki DR-Z400S is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.0% across 100 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki DR-Z400S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki DR-Z400S THIS CAR | 83.5% | 32,719 | 7,170 mi | 26 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 Focus ST | 88% | 17,662 | 26,615 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki DR-Z400S outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki DR-Z400S you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Suzuki DR-Z400SShould you buy a used Suzuki DR-Z400S?
The Suzuki DR-Z400S has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.5% across 32,719 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 DR-Z400S are reflector on motorcycle missing (450 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (339), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (248). 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.
A typical Suzuki DR-Z400S owner drives around 401 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 DR-Z400S models stay on UK roads for around 26 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.