SUZUKI SV 650 AL8

645cc Petrol Class 2

#1784 of 5426 overall #211 of 680 SUZUKIs #1084 of 2787 other bikes

87.4%

first-time pass rate

3.8%

failed outright

9,048

median miles at test

1,200

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2021–2025

The SV 650 AL8's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.8 points since 2021, 89.8% to 88.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SV 650 AL8's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage SV 650 AL8 passes first time 93.2% of the time; by 30k that's 90.0%.

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 SV 650 AL8

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	21	26.2	1.0×
brakes	16	20	0.3×
structure and attachments	14	17.5	1.5×
tyres	13	16.2	1.2×
steering	9	11.2	1.8×
suspension	3	3.8	0.2×
wheels	2	2.5	1.4×
audible warning (Horn)	1	1.2	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	1	1.2	0.4×

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 650 AL8 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 SV 650 AL8.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2019 (94.7% pass). Weakest: 2018 (86.9%).

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 650 AL8 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI SV 650 AL8 reliable?

The SUZUKI SV 650 AL8 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.4% of its 1,200 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1784 of 5426 models.

What does a SV 650 AL8 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 26% of all defects recorded against failed SV 650 AL8 tests.

How many miles will a SV 650 AL8 last?

The median SV 650 AL8 shows 9,048 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 90.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.