Suzuki VL800 MOT pass rate and common failures
Suzuki VL800 motorcycles pass the MOT 86% of the time, measured across 443 tests in the DVSA record. A further 6.32% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 35.3% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not conform to the specified requirements and flashing more than 120 times a minute, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (11.7% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 20,725 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ years | 85.92% | 412 |
Why the Suzuki VL800 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 | Not working | 35.3% | 12 | |
| 2 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 32.4% | 11 | |
| 3 | Flashing more than 120 times a minute | 29.4% | 10 | |
| 4 | Too low | 17.6% | 6 | |
| 5 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 14.7% | 5 | |
| 6 | Missing | 14.7% | 5 | |
| 7 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 14.7% | 5 | |
| 8 | Insecure | 11.8% | 4 | |
| 9 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 11.8% | 4 | |
| 10 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 11.8% | 4 |
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 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 11.7% | 52 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 5.4% | 24 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 2.5% | 11 | |
| 4 | Excessively binding | 1.4% | 6 | |
| 5 | Excessively corroded | 1.4% | 6 | |
| 6 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 1.4% | 6 | |
| 7 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.4% | 6 | |
| 8 | Spoke excessively corroded | 1.1% | 5 | |
| 9 | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 0.9% | 4 | |
| 10 | Tread not clearly visible | 0.9% | 4 |
Suzuki VL800 for sale
No Suzuki VL800 in stock at the moment - 528 other Suzuki bikes are advertised.
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 | |
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| BMW S 1000 · 999cc | 8,445 | 91.96% | 15,282 | |
| Yamaha YZF R1 · 998cc | 6,022 | 88.01% | 23,152 | |
| Yamaha MT 800-1000cc · 800-1000cc | 5,720 | 90.98% | 16,130 | |
| Honda NC · 741cc | 5,311 | 89.53% | 22,765 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method