SUZUKI SV 650 K5

645cc Petrol Class 2

#3318 of 5426 overall #450 of 680 SUZUKIs #2114 of 2787 other bikes

81.3%

first-time pass rate

9.4%

failed outright

14,352

median miles at test

1,803

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2025

The SV 650 K5's first-time pass rate has fallen 10.7 points since 2008, 87.1% to 76.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SV 650 K5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage SV 650 K5 passes first time 90.0% of the time; by 50k that's 86.0%.

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 K5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	81	24	0.8×
brakes	76	22.6	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	39	11.6	0.9×
tyres and wheels	34	10.1	0.8×
steering and suspension	30	8.9	0.5×
reg plates and vin	19	5.6	1.2×
tyres	18	5.3	1.3×
suspension	17	5	1.1×
drive system	14	4.2	0.8×
body and structure	9	2.7	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 SV 650 K5 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 SV 650 K5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (83.6% pass). Weakest: 2007 (78.6%).

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 K5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI SV 650 K5 reliable?

The SUZUKI SV 650 K5 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.3% of its 1,803 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3318 of 5426 models.

What does a SV 650 K5 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 24% of all defects recorded against failed SV 650 K5 tests.

What is the best year of SV 650 K5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (83.6%) and 2007 worst (78.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a SV 650 K5 last?

The median SV 650 K5 shows 14,352 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 86.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.