SUZUKI SV 650 SK6

645cc Petrol Class 2

#3459 of 5426 overall #471 of 680 SUZUKIs #2206 of 2787 other bikes

80.6%

first-time pass rate

10.8%

failed outright

14,034

median miles at test

3,704

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2009–2025

The SV 650 SK6's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.9 points since 2009, 81.5% to 78.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SV 650 SK6's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage SV 650 SK6 passes first time 86.2% of the time; by 50k that's 73.1%.

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 SK6

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	174	22.7	0.9×
lighting and signalling	166	21.7	0.8×
tyres and wheels	91	11.9	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	91	11.9	1.0×
steering and suspension	82	10.7	0.6×
drive system	45	5.9	1.2×
reg plates and vin	32	4.2	0.9×
tyres	29	3.8	0.9×
body and structure	29	3.8	1.5×
structure and attachments	27	3.5	0.8×

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 SK6 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 SK6.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (83.3% pass). Weakest: 2006 (80.2%).

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 SK6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI SV 650 SK6 reliable?

The SUZUKI SV 650 SK6 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.6% of its 3,704 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3459 of 5426 models.

What does a SV 650 SK6 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 23% of all defects recorded against failed SV 650 SK6 tests.

What is the best year of SV 650 SK6 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (83.3%) and 2006 worst (80.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a SV 650 SK6 last?

The median SV 650 SK6 shows 14,034 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 73.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.