BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Aprilia Etv Caponord/vs Suzuki GSF1200
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Aprilia Etv Caponord vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Aprilia Etv Caponord passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 85.1% vs 82.4%, a 2.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Aprilia Etv Caponord Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate 85.1% 82.4%
Outright fail rate 10.5% 8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +0.8 pts -1.2 pts
Engine size 998cc 1,157cc
Rank among all models #2469 of 5428 #3108 of 5428
Median miles at test 18,043 20,274
MOT tests analysed 1,728 97,637
Most common failure brakes lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component Aprilia Etv Caponord Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling 3.9% 4.5%
Brakes 4.1% 2.8%
Steering & suspension 4.2% 2.2%
Tyres & wheels 1.4% 2.0%
Structure & body 0.7% 0.8%
Drive system 0.2% 0.6%
Fuel & exhaust 0% 0.8%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Aprilia Etv Caponord Suzuki GSF1200
2018 81.2% 83.2%
2019 82.6% 82.9%
2020 88.1% 83.4%
2021 90.4% 82.9%
2022 83.1% 83.6%
2023 86.2% 83.8%
2024 83.0% 83.4%
2025 94.7% 84.1%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage Aprilia Etv Caponord Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles 87.2% 87.7%
10k-20k miles 85.4% 83.8%
20k-30k miles 85.6% 81.1%
30k-40k miles 85.0% 78.5%
40k-50k miles 82.8% 78.4%
50k-60k miles 68.0% 78.8%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Aprilia Etv Caponord vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia Etv Caponord or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The Aprilia Etv Caponord passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 85.1% vs 82.4%, a 2.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Aprilia Etv Caponord still comes out ahead: +0.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia Etv Caponord, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia Etv Caponord fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 4.2% of Aprilia Etv Caponord MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.1%).

What does the Suzuki GSF1200 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.5% of Suzuki GSF1200 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Aprilia Etv Caponord or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 50k-60k miles the Suzuki GSF1200 passes first time more often: 68.0% for the Aprilia Etv Caponord vs 78.8% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.