SUZUKI SAVAGE

652cc Petrol Class 2

#3219 of 5426 overall #427 of 680 SUZUKIs #2047 of 2787 other bikes

81.8%

first-time pass rate

12.4%

failed outright

16,290

median miles at test

834

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2023

The SAVAGE's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.7 points since 2006, 79.4% to 76.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage SAVAGE passes first time 88.3% of the time; by 30k that's 80.0%.

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 SAVAGE

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	62	25.9	1.2×
brakes	43	18	0.8×
steering and suspension	41	17.2	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	34	14.2	1.4×
tyres and wheels	17	7.1	0.9×
body and structure	11	4.6	2.2×
structure and attachments	11	4.6	1.6×
suspension	8	3.3	1.1×
steering	6	2.5	1.7×
fuel and exhaust	6	2.5	0.9×

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 SAVAGE 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 SAVAGE.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1996 (90.6% pass). Weakest: 1992 (71.2%).

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 SAVAGE FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI SAVAGE reliable?

The SUZUKI SAVAGE is less reliable than average for its class: 81.8% of its 834 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3219 of 5426 models.

What does a SAVAGE fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 26% of all defects recorded against failed SAVAGE tests.

What is the best year of SAVAGE to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1996-registered examples do best (90.6%) and 1992 worst (71.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a SAVAGE last?

The median SAVAGE shows 16,290 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 80.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.