SUZUKI TL1000

999cc Petrol Class 2

#3601 of 5426 overall #495 of 680 SUZUKIs #2295 of 2787 other bikes

79.9%

first-time pass rate

11.9%

failed outright

24,846

median miles at test

1,032

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2022

The TL1000's first-time pass rate has fallen 8.0 points since 2006, 85.4% to 77.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the TL1000's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage TL1000 passes first time 80.8% of the time; by 50k that's 79.5%.

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 TL1000

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	96	32.8	1.4×
brakes	58	19.8	1.0×
steering and suspension	44	15	1.2×
fuel and exhaust	23	7.8	2.6×
tyres and wheels	19	6.5	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	16	5.5	0.7×
reg plates and vin	16	5.5	2.0×
drive system	11	3.8	1.1×
structure and attachments	5	1.7	0.4×
steering	5	1.7	0.9×

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 TL1000 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 TL1000.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1997 (80.8% pass). Weakest: 1998 (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 TL1000 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI TL1000 reliable?

The SUZUKI TL1000 is less reliable than average for its class: 79.9% of its 1,032 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3601 of 5426 models.

What does a TL1000 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 33% of all defects recorded against failed TL1000 tests.

What is the best year of TL1000 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (80.8%) and 2000 worst (79.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a TL1000 last?

The median TL1000 shows 24,846 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 79.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.