SUZUKI SV 650 SK3

645cc Petrol Class 2

#3006 of 5426 overall #382 of 680 SUZUKIs #1903 of 2787 other bikes

82.8%

first-time pass rate

10.0%

failed outright

11,900

median miles at test

911

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2022

The SV 650 SK3's first-time pass rate has fallen 10.1 points since 2006, 85.9% to 75.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SV 650 SK3's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage SV 650 SK3 passes first time 87.9% of the time; by 30k that's 67.6%.

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 SK3

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	53	28.2	1.1×
brakes	39	20.7	0.8×
tyres and wheels	24	12.8	1.3×
drive system	21	11.2	2.1×
lamps and reflectors	17	9	1.0×
steering and suspension	12	6.4	0.3×
body and structure	7	3.7	1.1×
suspension	5	2.7	0.7×
steering	5	2.7	1.1×
structure and attachments	5	2.7	0.5×

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 SK3 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 650 SK3.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (82.7% pass). Weakest: 2003 (82.6%).

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 SK3 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI SV 650 SK3 reliable?

The SUZUKI SV 650 SK3 is less reliable than average for its class: 82.8% of its 911 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3006 of 5426 models.

What does a SV 650 SK3 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed SV 650 SK3 tests.

How many miles will a SV 650 SK3 last?

The median SV 650 SK3 shows 11,900 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 67.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.