SUZUKI SV 650 SK5

645cc Petrol Class 2

#3165 of 5426 overall #417 of 680 SUZUKIs #2014 of 2787 other bikes

82.1%

first-time pass rate

8.3%

failed outright

13,917

median miles at test

543

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2015

The SV 650 SK5's first-time pass rate has risen 7.0 points since 2008, 79.7% to 86.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SV 650 SK5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage SV 650 SK5 passes first time 84.8% of the time; by 30k that's 76.6%.

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 SK5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	19	21.3	0.6×
tyres and wheels	17	19.1	1.4×
steering and suspension	13	14.6	0.6×
brakes	13	14.6	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	8	9	0.7×
reg plates and vin	4	4.5	1.0×
body and structure	4	4.5	1.5×
drive system	4	4.5	1.0×
tyres	4	4.5	0.8×
audible warning (Horn)	3	3.4	3.0×

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 650 SK5 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 SK5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (83.6% pass). Weakest: 2006 (73.0%).

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 SK5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI SV 650 SK5 reliable?

The SUZUKI SV 650 SK5 is less reliable than average for its class: 82.1% of its 543 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3165 of 5426 models.

What does a SV 650 SK5 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 21% of all defects recorded against failed SV 650 SK5 tests.

How many miles will a SV 650 SK5 last?

The median SV 650 SK5 shows 13,917 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 76.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.