SUZUKI TL1000R

996cc Petrol Class 2

#3666 of 5426 overall #500 of 680 SUZUKIs #2333 of 2787 other bikes

79.6%

first-time pass rate

12.9%

failed outright

20,344

median miles at test

17.0k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The TL1000R's first-time pass rate has risen 5.5 points since 2005, 79.4% to 84.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the TL1000R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage TL1000R passes first time 84.9% of the time; by 50k that's 71.3%.

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 TL1000R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	1,509	31.5	1.4×
brakes	998	20.8	1.0×
steering and suspension	637	13.3	1.0×
tyres and wheels	442	9.2	1.2×
reg plates and vin	311	6.5	2.4×
lamps and reflectors	300	6.3	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	278	5.8	1.9×
drive system	157	3.3	1.1×
suspension	92	1.9	0.6×
body and structure	68	1.4	0.8×

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 TL1000R 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 TL1000R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (85.1% pass). Weakest: 1997 (74.5%).

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 TL1000R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI TL1000R reliable?

The SUZUKI TL1000R is less reliable than average for its class: 79.6% of its 16,972 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3666 of 5426 models.

What does a TL1000R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed TL1000R tests.

What is the best year of TL1000R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (85.1%) and 1997 worst (74.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a TL1000R last?

The median TL1000R shows 20,344 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 71.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.