SUZUKI SV 650 SK1

645cc Petrol Class 2

#3440 of 5426 overall #469 of 680 SUZUKIs #2196 of 2787 other bikes

80.7%

first-time pass rate

13.0%

failed outright

17,545

median miles at test

912

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The SV 650 SK1's first-time pass rate has risen 2.6 points since 2006, 82.2% to 84.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SV 650 SK1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage SV 650 SK1 passes first time 80.6% of the time; by 40k that's 73.2%.

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 SK1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	71	29	1.3×
brakes	65	26.5	1.2×
tyres and wheels	31	12.7	1.6×
steering and suspension	22	9	0.6×
drive system	18	7.3	2.1×
fuel and exhaust	11	4.5	1.4×
lamps and reflectors	9	3.7	0.5×
reg plates and vin	7	2.9	1.1×
body and structure	7	2.9	1.1×
suspension	4	1.6	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 SK1 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 SK1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2001 (83.4% pass). Weakest: 2000 (75.2%).

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 SV 650 SK1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI SV 650 SK1 reliable?

The SUZUKI SV 650 SK1 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.7% of its 912 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3440 of 5426 models.

What does a SV 650 SK1 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 29% of all defects recorded against failed SV 650 SK1 tests.

What is the best year of SV 650 SK1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2001-registered examples do best (83.4%) and 2000 worst (75.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a SV 650 SK1 last?

The median SV 650 SK1 shows 17,545 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 73.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.