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Suzuki DRZ400 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki DRZ400 car check

Is the Suzuki DRZ400 reliable? We analysed 2,234 real MOT tests across 242 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,234 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.3%
Typical Mileage
5,434mi
Annual Mileage
392mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Suzuki DRZ400 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, reflector on motorcycle missing and tyre is unsuitable. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki DRZ400.

Suzuki DRZ400 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki DRZ400. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki DRZ400 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki DRZ400 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

88.4%
2008
83.8%
2007
82.5%
2006
82.2%
2005
77%
2004
81%
2003
79.8%
2002
81.7%
2001
80.3%
2000

Suzuki DRZ400 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki DRZ400 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 40
reflector on motorcycle missing 39
Tyre is unsuitable 21
wheel bearings have excessive free play 21
wheel bearings have excessive free play 18
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 17
Wheel spoke excessively loose 14
Horn not working 13
Direction indicator missing 12
Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height 11

Suzuki DRZ400 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki DRZ400 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
120 mi/yr
Typical
392 mi/yr
Average
1,015 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,044 mi/yr

Suzuki DRZ400 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki DRZ400 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2008 147 88.4% 8,760 13,830 19,719
2007 130 83.8% 6,444 9,242 12,996
2006 143 82.5% 5,434 8,903 11,495
2005 135 82.2% 3,250 5,594 12,984
2004 230 77.0% 2,637 5,505 9,579
2003 294 81.0% 1,427 4,043 7,931
2002 381 79.8% 1,315 3,402 6,071
2001 393 81.7% 2,224 4,367 7,282
2000 284 80.3% 3,508 6,942 11,676

How Long Does a Suzuki DRZ400 Last?

Based on 242 Suzuki DRZ400 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.0 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Suzuki DRZ400 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki DRZ400 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
5,434 mi
75th Percentile
10,267 mi
95th Percentile
23,519 mi
Max Recorded
100,064 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki DRZ400

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

Best year
2008

88.4% MOT pass rate from 147 tests

Year to avoid
2004

77.0% MOT pass rate from 230 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki DRZ400 is 2008, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.4% across 147 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki DRZ400 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki DRZ400 THIS CAR 81.3% 2,234 5,434 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
Volkswagen T-porter 76.4% 3,424 94,690 mi 14 yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki DRZ400 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki DRZ400?

The Suzuki DRZ400 has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.3% across 2,234 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 DRZ400 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (40 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (39), and tyre is unsuitable (21). 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 DRZ400 owner drives around 392 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 DRZ400 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.

Suzuki DRZ400 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki DRZ400 reliable?
Based on 2,234 MOT tests, the Suzuki DRZ400 has a 81.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki DRZ400?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, reflector on motorcycle missing, and tyre is unsuitable. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki DRZ400 do per year?
The typical Suzuki DRZ400 does around 392 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki DRZ400 last?
Most Suzuki DRZ400 models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 242 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki DRZ400?
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 DRZ400?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki DRZ400 is 2008 with a 88.4% pass rate across 147 tests.