Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
SUZUKI SV 650 SL2
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The SV 650 SL2's first-time pass rate has risen 2.1 points since 2015, 77.4% to 79.5%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage SV 650 SL2 passes first time 89.7% of the time; by 40k that's 84.3%.
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 SL2
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
71 | 28 | 1.4× |
| brakes |
|
46 | 18.1 | 0.5× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
35 | 13.8 | 0.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
26 | 10.2 | 0.6× |
| suspension |
|
18 | 7.1 | 1.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
16 | 6.3 | 0.9× |
| tyres |
|
16 | 6.3 | 1.3× |
| steering |
|
10 | 3.9 | 1.2× |
| drive system |
|
10 | 3.9 | 0.6× |
| steering and suspension |
|
6 | 2.4 | 0.1× |
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
On first-time pass rate the SV 650 SL2 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 SL2.
Compare with any bike
More SUZUKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2013 (87.7%). Lowest: 2012 (82.0%). Every SV 650 SL2 year compared →
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 SL2 FAQ
Is the SUZUKI SV 650 SL2 reliable?
The SUZUKI SV 650 SL2 is about average for its class: 85.5% of its 1,756 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2363 of 5428 models.
What does a SV 650 SL2 fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 28% of all defects recorded against failed SV 650 SL2 tests.
What is the best year of SV 650 SL2 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (87.7%) and 2012 worst (82.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a SV 650 SL2 last?
The median SV 650 SL2 shows 12,344 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 84.3% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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