SUZUKI SV 650 SL2

645cc Petrol Class 2

#2362 of 5426 overall #291 of 680 SUZUKIs #1477 of 2787 other bikes

85.5%

first-time pass rate

7.1%

failed outright

12,344

median miles at test

1,756

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2015–2025

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

how the SV 650 SL2's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

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

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the SV 650 SL2 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 SL2.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (87.7% pass). Weakest: 2012 (82.0%).

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 SL2 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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 #2362 of 5426 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 — mileage alone rarely kills one.