Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
SUZUKI GSX650F
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 GSX650F's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.9 points since 2011, 85.5% to 80.6%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage GSX650F passes first time 91.0% of the time; by 50k that's 78.8%.
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 GSX650F
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
49 | 20.9 | 0.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
44 | 18.8 | 0.9× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
33 | 14.1 | 0.7× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
22 | 9.4 | 0.2× |
| tyres |
|
22 | 9.4 | 1.2× |
| suspension |
|
20 | 8.5 | 1.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
16 | 6.8 | 0.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
14 | 6 | 0.9× |
| drive system |
|
9 | 3.8 | 0.4× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
5 | 2.1 | 1.0× |
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 GSX650F 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 GSX650F.
Compare with any bike
More SUZUKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2011 (89.7%). Lowest: 2008 (86.4%). Every GSX650F 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 GSX650F FAQ
Is the SUZUKI GSX650F reliable?
The SUZUKI GSX650F is more reliable than average for its class: 87.2% of its 2,170 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1855 of 5428 models.
What does a GSX650F fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 21% of all defects recorded against failed GSX650F tests.
What is the best year of GSX650F to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (89.7%) and 2008 worst (86.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a GSX650F last?
The median GSX650F shows 13,819 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 78.8% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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