SUZUKI SV1000

996cc Petrol Class 2

#3181 of 5426 overall #420 of 680 SUZUKIs #2025 of 2787 other bikes

82.0%

first-time pass rate

9.8%

failed outright

17,936

median miles at test

13.6k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The SV1000's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.4 points since 2006, 87.5% to 81.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SV1000's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage SV1000 passes first time 87.6% of the time; by 50k that's 73.3%.

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 SV1000

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	501	20	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	498	19.9	1.6×
brakes	407	16.3	0.5×
suspension	223	8.9	1.9×
tyres and wheels	192	7.7	0.6×
steering and suspension	188	7.5	0.4×
structure and attachments	155	6.2	1.3×
tyres	151	6	1.4×
audible warning (Horn)	93	3.7	3.7×
reg plates and vin	93	3.7	1.0×

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 SV1000 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 SV1000.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (84.5% pass). Weakest: 2003 (79.8%).

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 SV1000 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI SV1000 reliable?

The SUZUKI SV1000 is less reliable than average for its class: 82.0% of its 13,584 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3181 of 5426 models.

What does a SV1000 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 20% of all defects recorded against failed SV1000 tests.

What is the best year of SV1000 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (84.5%) and 2003 worst (79.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a SV1000 last?

The median SV1000 shows 17,936 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 73.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.