SUZUKI SV

645cc Petrol Class 2

#2264 of 5426 overall #278 of 680 SUZUKIs #1406 of 2787 other bikes

85.8%

first-time pass rate

7.5%

failed outright

12,167

median miles at test

3,489

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The SV's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.6 points since 2006, 94.1% to 84.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage SV passes first time 92.4% of the time; by 50k that's 71.7%.

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 SV

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	107	21.9	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	95	19.4	1.2×
lighting and signalling	71	14.5	0.3×
tyres	57	11.7	2.1×
structure and attachments	38	7.8	1.2×
steering and suspension	34	7	0.3×
steering	26	5.3	1.4×
suspension	25	5.1	0.9×
tyres and wheels	23	4.7	0.3×
audible warning (Horn)	13	2.7	2.0×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the SV beats 3 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 SV.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (92.3% pass). Weakest: 2008 (73.9%).

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 SV FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI SV reliable?

The SUZUKI SV is about average for its class: 85.8% of its 3,489 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2264 of 5426 models.

What does a SV fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 22% of all defects recorded against failed SV tests.

What is the best year of SV to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (92.3%) and 2008 worst (73.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a SV last?

The median SV shows 12,167 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 71.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.