Suzuki DR-Z400SM Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki DR-Z400SM car check
Is the Suzuki DR-Z400SM reliable? We analysed 8,163 real MOT tests across 858 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki DR-Z400SM? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki DR-Z400SM is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, reflector on motorcycle missing and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki DR-Z400SM.
Suzuki DR-Z400SM Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki DR-Z400SM. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki DR-Z400SM MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki DR-Z400SM to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki DR-Z400SM Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki DR-Z400SM fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki DR-Z400SM Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki DR-Z400SM owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki DR-Z400SM MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki DR-Z400SM year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 56 | 83.9% | 5,740 | 8,270 | 13,335 |
| 2008 | 2,850 | 87.2% | 4,398 | 8,514 | 14,222 |
| 2007 | 2,490 | 85.7% | 4,705 | 9,207 | 14,906 |
| 2006 | 1,378 | 83.3% | 5,096 | 8,630 | 13,591 |
| 2005 | 1,018 | 83.0% | 5,063 | 9,118 | 17,280 |
| 2004 | 69 | 85.5% | 2,062 | 4,615 | 11,513 |
| 2003 | 50 | 90.0% | 1,924 | 4,496 | 6,607 |
| 2001 | 71 | 78.9% | 3,554 | 7,266 | 13,148 |
| 2000 | 63 | 90.5% | 2,270 | 4,262 | 7,774 |
How Long Does a Suzuki DR-Z400SM Last?
Based on 858 Suzuki DR-Z400SM vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki DR-Z400SM Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki DR-Z400SM 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-Z400SM
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.5% MOT pass rate from 63 tests
78.9% MOT pass rate from 71 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki DR-Z400SM is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.5% across 63 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.9% — 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-Z400SM Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki DR-Z400SM THIS CAR | 85.4% | 8,163 | 8,695 mi | 21 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 |
| Audi A5 S Line ED 1 40 TFSI MHEV Sa | 88.9% | 3,592 | 28,878 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki DR-Z400SM outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki DR-Z400SM 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-Z400SMShould you buy a used Suzuki DR-Z400SM?
The Suzuki DR-Z400SM has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.4% across 8,163 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-Z400SM are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (94 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (81), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (48). 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-Z400SM owner drives around 580 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-Z400SM models stay on UK roads for around 21 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.