HUSQVARNA SM 510 R

501cc Petrol Class 2

#3531 of 5426 overall #30 of 43 HUSQVARNAs #2246 of 2787 other bikes

80.2%

first-time pass rate

8.6%

failed outright

3,390

median miles at test

607

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2018

The SM 510 R's first-time pass rate has risen 5.8 points since 2010, 77.5% to 83.3%.

What fails on a SM 510 R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	44	34.1	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	31	24	1.5×
reg plates and vin	14	10.9	3.5×
brakes	12	9.3	0.4×
steering and suspension	7	5.4	0.3×
tyres and wheels	6	4.7	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	4	3.1	2.9×
suspension	4	3.1	0.7×
drive system	4	3.1	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	3	2.3	0.7×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the SM 510 R beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the SM 510 R.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2005 (81.1% pass). Weakest: 2007 (78.8%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

HUSQVARNA SM 510 R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HUSQVARNA SM 510 R reliable?

The HUSQVARNA SM 510 R is less reliable than average for its class: 80.2% of its 607 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3531 of 5426 models.

What does a SM 510 R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 34% of all defects recorded against failed SM 510 R tests.

What is the best year of SM 510 R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (81.1%) and 2007 worst (78.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.