SUZUKI GSX 650 FK8

644cc Petrol Class 2

#1722 of 5426 overall #199 of 680 SUZUKIs #1043 of 2787 other bikes

87.6%

first-time pass rate

6.7%

failed outright

13,427

median miles at test

7,404

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2025

The GSX 650 FK8's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.1 points since 2011, 89.7% to 84.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GSX 650 FK8's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GSX 650 FK8 passes first time 92.6% of the time; by 50k that's 85.3%.

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 GSX 650 FK8

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	211	24.7	0.5×
tyres and wheels	147	17.2	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	134	15.7	0.7×
lighting and signalling	110	12.9	0.3×
structure and attachments	58	6.8	1.0×
tyres	53	6.2	0.9×
drive system	49	5.7	0.7×
suspension	43	5	0.8×
steering and suspension	35	4.1	0.1×
steering	15	1.8	0.4×

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 GSX 650 FK8 beats 4 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 GSX 650 FK8.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (87.7% pass). Weakest: 2010 (84.0%).

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 GSX 650 FK8 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GSX 650 FK8 reliable?

The SUZUKI GSX 650 FK8 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.6% of its 7,404 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1722 of 5426 models.

What does a GSX 650 FK8 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 25% of all defects recorded against failed GSX 650 FK8 tests.

What is the best year of GSX 650 FK8 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (87.7%) and 2010 worst (84.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GSX 650 FK8 last?

The median GSX 650 FK8 shows 13,427 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 85.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.