Suzuki VL800 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki VL800 car check
Is the Suzuki VL800 reliable? We analysed 14,095 real MOT tests across 1,166 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki VL800? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki VL800 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki VL800.
Suzuki VL800 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki VL800. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki VL800 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki VL800 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki VL800 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki VL800 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki VL800 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Suzuki VL800 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Suzuki VL800 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki VL800 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki VL800 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki VL800 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 63 | 87.3% | 9,274 | 14,580 | 20,736 |
| 2011 | 143 | 90.2% | 2,692 | 6,507 | 11,818 |
| 2010 | 135 | 90.4% | 6,686 | 10,273 | 20,938 |
| 2009 | 100 | 90.0% | 5,464 | 8,714 | 11,948 |
| 2008 | 586 | 90.1% | 7,515 | 11,798 | 18,581 |
| 2007 | 481 | 89.2% | 5,083 | 8,837 | 18,380 |
| 2006 | 865 | 90.6% | 7,726 | 13,097 | 21,786 |
| 2005 | 1,006 | 90.9% | 6,114 | 10,017 | 16,627 |
| 2004 | 1,724 | 89.5% | 6,565 | 11,935 | 19,834 |
| 2003 | 3,828 | 90.2% | 6,854 | 11,897 | 19,143 |
| 2002 | 3,226 | 88.6% | 8,243 | 13,739 | 20,881 |
| 2001 | 1,586 | 88.8% | 9,049 | 15,208 | 24,278 |
| 1994 | 50 | 90.0% | 11,992 | 13,944 | 18,117 |
How Long Does a Suzuki VL800 Last?
Based on 1,166 Suzuki VL800 vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki VL800 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki VL800 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 VL800
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.9% MOT pass rate from 1,006 tests
87.3% MOT pass rate from 63 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki VL800 is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.9% across 1,006 tests. The 2012 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki VL800 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki VL800 THIS CAR | 89.5% | 14,095 | 12,510 mi | 25 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 Puma St-line Vignale MHEV | 92.7% | 8,514 | 23,278 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki VL800 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki VL800 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 VL800Should you buy a used Suzuki VL800?
The Suzuki VL800 has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.5% across 14,095 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 VL800 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (154 recorded failures), exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (57), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (44). 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 VL800 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 VL800 owner drives around 596 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 VL800 models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.