SUZUKI SV650S

645cc Petrol Class 2

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

80.6%

first-time pass rate

11.9%

failed outright

16,958

median miles at test

84.6k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2020

The SV650S's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.5 points since 2005, 86.3% to 80.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SV650S's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage SV650S passes first time 88.2% of the time; by 50k that's 70.6%.

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 SV650S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	5,795	27.8	1.1×
brakes	5,484	26.3	1.1×
tyres and wheels	2,727	13.1	1.4×
steering and suspension	2,344	11.3	0.8×
drive system	1,401	6.7	1.7×
fuel and exhaust	788	3.8	1.1×
reg plates and vin	782	3.8	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	638	3.1	0.3×
body and structure	630	3	1.3×
structure and attachments	239	1.1	0.3×

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 SV650S 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 SV650S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (85.2% pass). Weakest: 1999 (78.4%).

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 SV650S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI SV650S reliable?

The SUZUKI SV650S is less reliable than average for its class: 80.6% of its 84,632 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3459 of 5426 models.

What does a SV650S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed SV650S tests.

What is the best year of SV650S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (85.2%) and 1999 worst (78.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a SV650S last?

The median SV650S shows 16,958 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 70.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.