Suzuki DL 996-1037cc MOT pass rate and common failures

Suzuki DL 996-1037cc motorcycles pass the MOT 90.14% of the time, measured across 558 tests in the DVSA record. A further 3.58% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Calculated from DVSA records for Suzuki DL, 996-1037cc.

Better than average: 3.3 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 90.14% 503 of 558

Fixed at the station 3.58% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 23,814 miles

Average age at test 10.08 years old

Engine 1,037cc MOT class 2

For sale now 0 Suzuki DL 996-1037cc adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

Start with inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps - it accounts for 28.6% of failed tests on this model.
Then check has a serious fluid leak and tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, the next two most common reasons.
The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (8.2% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 23,814 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.

Pass rate by age

A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.

Age at test	Pass rate		Tests
6-10 years	90.34%		445
11-15 years	90%		110

Why the Suzuki DL 996-1037cc fails

Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.

#	Item	Of failures	Tests
1	Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	28.6%	10
2	Has a serious fluid leak	25.7%	9
3	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	14.3%	5
4	Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s)	11.4%	4
5	Less than 1.0 mm thick	11.4%	4
6	Not working on dipped beam	11.4%	4
7	Too low	11.4%	4
8	Not working	8.6%	3
9	Too high	8.6%	3
10	Excessively loose	5.7%	2

Most common advisories

Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.

#	Item	Of all tests	Tests
1	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	8.2%	46
2	Less than 1.0 mm thick	5.9%	33
3	Excessively loose	3.4%	19
4	Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition	3%	17
5	Excessively binding	2.3%	13
6	Excessively stiff or notchy	2.2%	12
7	Tread not clearly visible	1.8%	10
8	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	1.6%	9
9	Pin or bush excessively worn	1.4%	8
10	Worn to excess	1.4%	8

Suzuki DL 996-1037cc for sale

No Suzuki DL 996-1037cc in stock at the moment - 529 other Suzuki bikes are advertised.

Used Suzuki DL 996-1037cc Used Suzuki All Suzuki Suzuki MOT statistics Check a specific bike by plate

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model	Tests	Pass rate	Avg mileage
Triumph TIGER · 969cc	16,144	91.27%	22,934
BMW R1200 · 1,170cc	15,691	94.77%	28,205
Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc	12,456	90.8%	12,824
BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc	9,796	91.92%	40,594
BMW S 1000 · 999cc	8,445	91.96%	15,282
BMW R1250 · 1,254cc	6,764	96.17%	17,373

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

Suzuki DL 996-1037cc MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Suzuki DL 996-1037cc?+

90.14% of Suzuki DL 996-1037cc MOT tests end in a pass, based on 558 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Suzuki DL 996-1037cc?+

Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, which appears in 28.6% of failed tests on this model.

Does the Suzuki DL 996-1037cc get harder to pass as it ages?+

At 11-15 years old the pass rate is 90%, against 90.34% for examples 6-10 years old.

Where does this data come from?+

From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.

Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+

Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.