SUZUKI SFV 650 L3

645cc Petrol Class 2

#1541 of 5426 overall #170 of 680 SUZUKIs #936 of 2787 other bikes

88.2%

first-time pass rate

5.8%

failed outright

12,058

median miles at test

398

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2023

The SFV 650 L3's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.3 points since 2016, 91.8% to 86.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SFV 650 L3's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage SFV 650 L3 passes first time 93.1% of the time; by 30k that's 86.8%.

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 SFV 650 L3

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	13	28.3
brakes	9	19.6
suspension	7	15.2
structure and attachments	6	13
tyres	5	10.9
tyres and wheels	2	4.3
steering and suspension	2	4.3
audible warning (Horn)	2	4.3

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the SFV 650 L3 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 SFV 650 L3.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (88.4% pass). Weakest: 2013 (88.4%).

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.