SUZUKI LS650

652cc Petrol Class 2

#3073 of 5426 overall #399 of 680 SUZUKIs #1951 of 2787 other bikes

82.5%

first-time pass rate

10.4%

failed outright

13,770

median miles at test

2,696

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The LS650's first-time pass rate has risen 5.4 points since 2006, 81.3% to 86.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the LS650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage LS650 passes first time 89.0% of the time; by 40k that's 78.2%.

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 LS650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	203	34.5	1.2×
steering and suspension	96	16.3	0.9×
brakes	88	15	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	39	6.6	1.7×
reg plates and vin	39	6.6	1.9×
lamps and reflectors	39	6.6	0.5×
tyres and wheels	36	6.1	0.6×
body and structure	17	2.9	1.1×
structure and attachments	16	2.7	0.7×
suspension	15	2.6	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 LS650 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 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 LS650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (94.9% pass). Weakest: 1987 (72.4%).

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 LS650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI LS650 reliable?

The SUZUKI LS650 is less reliable than average for its class: 82.5% of its 2,696 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3073 of 5426 models.

What does a LS650 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 35% of all defects recorded against failed LS650 tests.

What is the best year of LS650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (94.9%) and 1987 worst (72.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a LS650 last?

The median LS650 shows 13,770 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 78.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.