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Suzuki VZ800 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki VZ800 car check

Is the Suzuki VZ800 reliable? We analysed 15,164 real MOT tests across 1,268 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 15,164 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.9%
Typical Mileage
14,086mi
Annual Mileage
550mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Suzuki VZ800 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and stop lamp remains on when the brake is released. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki VZ800.

Suzuki VZ800 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki VZ800. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki VZ800 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki VZ800 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

94.7%
2011
92.1%
2010
91.9%
2009
90.5%
2008
88%
2007
88%
2006
88.2%
2005
89%
2004
87.9%
2003
81.9%
2002
84.2%
2001
84%
2000
84.6%
1999
83.2%
1998
84.3%
1997
74%
1996

Suzuki VZ800 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki VZ800 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 118
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 97
Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released 62
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 62
reflector on motorcycle missing 58
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 54
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 45
Headlamp aim too high 42
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 41

Suzuki VZ800 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki VZ800 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
169 mi/yr
Typical
550 mi/yr
Average
1,110 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,368 mi/yr

Suzuki VZ800 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki VZ800 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2011 281 94.7% 3,875 7,419 12,405
2010 394 92.1% 6,131 10,564 16,430
2009 725 91.9% 6,258 10,632 16,481
2008 865 90.5% 5,390 10,493 17,910
2007 699 88.0% 6,837 11,955 19,876
2006 742 88.0% 6,338 13,442 22,354
2005 859 88.2% 7,572 12,733 20,083
2004 73 89.0% 5,830 7,911 14,377
2003 66 87.9% 9,782 22,087 31,574
2002 210 81.9% 4,611 9,426 19,169
2001 1,053 84.2% 8,402 13,966 20,267
2000 1,841 84.0% 9,923 14,512 21,279
1999 2,382 84.6% 9,365 14,991 22,888
1998 1,816 83.2% 10,197 16,267 24,646
1997 2,927 84.3% 9,765 16,652 25,566
1996 50 74.0% 15,136 24,800 40,836

How Long Does a Suzuki VZ800 Last?

Based on 1,268 Suzuki VZ800 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
18.2 years
Median
18.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
29 years

Suzuki VZ800 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki VZ800 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
14,086 mi
75th Percentile
21,988 mi
95th Percentile
37,344 mi
Max Recorded
723,536 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki VZ800

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

Best year
2011

94.7% MOT pass rate from 281 tests

Year to avoid
1996

74.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki VZ800 is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.7% across 281 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki VZ800 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki VZ800 THIS CAR 85.9% 15,164 14,086 mi 29 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
Hyundai Tucson SE Connect T-gdi 88.5% 15,242 26,461 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki VZ800 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki VZ800?

The Suzuki VZ800 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.9% across 15,164 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 VZ800 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (118 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (97), and stop lamp remains on when the brake is released (62). 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 VZ800 owner drives around 550 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 VZ800 models stay on UK roads for around 29 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 VZ800 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki VZ800 reliable?
Based on 15,164 MOT tests, the Suzuki VZ800 has a 85.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki VZ800?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and stop lamp remains on when the brake is released. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki VZ800 do per year?
The typical Suzuki VZ800 does around 550 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki VZ800 last?
Most Suzuki VZ800 models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 1,268 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki VZ800?
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 VZ800?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki VZ800 is 2011 with a 94.7% pass rate across 281 tests.