Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
SUZUKI DL 650 K7 X
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The DL 650 K7 X's first-time pass rate has risen 4.8 points since 2010, 87.9% to 92.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage DL 650 K7 X passes first time 92.0% of the time; by 50k that's 87.3%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a DL 650 K7 X
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
32 | 31.7 | 0.5× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
22 | 21.8 | 0.8× |
| steering and suspension |
|
10 | 9.9 | 0.3× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
10 | 9.9 | 0.2× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
7 | 6.9 | 0.2× |
| suspension |
|
7 | 6.9 | 0.5× |
| tyres |
|
5 | 5 | 0.5× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
3 | 3 | 0.3× |
| drive system |
|
3 | 3 | 0.4× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
2 | 2 | 0.8× |
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
On first-time pass rate the DL 650 K7 X beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 DL 650 K7 X.
Compare with any bike
More SUZUKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2008 (90.0%). Lowest: 2009 (86.8%). Every DL 650 K7 X year compared →
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.
SUZUKI DL 650 K7 X FAQ
Is the SUZUKI DL 650 K7 X reliable?
The SUZUKI DL 650 K7 X is more reliable than average for its class: 89.5% of its 1,146 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1113 of 5428 models.
What does a DL 650 K7 X fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 32% of all defects recorded against failed DL 650 K7 X tests.
What is the best year of DL 650 K7 X to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (90.0%) and 2009 worst (86.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a DL 650 K7 X last?
The median DL 650 K7 X shows 22,054 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 87.3% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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