Suzuki DR800 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki DR800 car check
Is the Suzuki DR800 reliable? We analysed 1,049 real MOT tests across 166 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki DR800? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki DR800 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki DR800.
Suzuki DR800 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki DR800. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki DR800 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki DR800 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki DR800 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki DR800 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki DR800 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki DR800 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki DR800 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki DR800 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 89 | 87.6% | 26,730 | 43,025 | 58,646 |
| 1992 | 55 | 87.3% | 19,366 | 24,090 | 37,242 |
| 1991 | 220 | 85.9% | 19,555 | 30,545 | 41,090 |
| 1990 | 236 | 80.9% | 22,724 | 29,914 | 44,004 |
How Long Does a Suzuki DR800 Last?
Based on 166 Suzuki DR800 vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki DR800 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki DR800 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 DR800
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.6% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
80.9% MOT pass rate from 236 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki DR800 is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.6% across 89 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki DR800 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki DR800 THIS CAR | 82.8% | 1,049 | 34,875 mi | 36 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 |
| BMW 530D Xdrive M Sport Auto | 93.9% | 512 | 62,532 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki DR800 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki DR800 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 DR800Should you buy a used Suzuki DR800?
The Suzuki DR800 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.8% across 1,049 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 DR800 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (12 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (12), and reflector on motorcycle missing (11). 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 DR800 owner drives around 478 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 DR800 models stay on UK roads for around 36 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.