SUZUKI TL1000S

996cc Petrol Class 2

#3513 of 5426 overall #479 of 680 SUZUKIs #2237 of 2787 other bikes

80.3%

first-time pass rate

11.9%

failed outright

23,162

median miles at test

15.1k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The TL1000S's first-time pass rate has risen 6.1 points since 2005, 81.7% to 87.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the TL1000S's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage TL1000S passes first time 84.9% of the time; by 50k that's 77.3%.

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 TL1000S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	1,179	29.6	1.2×
brakes	900	22.6	1.0×
steering and suspension	572	14.4	1.0×
tyres and wheels	333	8.4	1.0×
fuel and exhaust	259	6.5	2.0×
lamps and reflectors	233	5.9	0.6×
reg plates and vin	202	5.1	1.8×
drive system	133	3.3	1.0×
body and structure	86	2.2	1.1×
suspension	85	2.1	0.7×

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 TL1000S 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 TL1000S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2001 (82.7% pass). Weakest: 1998 (79.3%).

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 TL1000S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI TL1000S reliable?

The SUZUKI TL1000S is less reliable than average for its class: 80.3% of its 15,114 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3513 of 5426 models.

What does a TL1000S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed TL1000S tests.

What is the best year of TL1000S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2001-registered examples do best (82.7%) and 2002 worst (79.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a TL1000S last?

The median TL1000S shows 23,162 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 77.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.