BMW R60 vs Suzuki SV650S

The BMW R60 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 90.5% vs 80.6%, a 9.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	BMW R60	Suzuki SV650S
First-time pass rate	90.5%	80.6%
Outright fail rate	5.0%	11.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+4.5 pts	-4.0 pts
Engine size	599cc	645cc
Rank among all models	#800 of 5428	#3459 of 5428
Median miles at test	40,277	16,958
MOT tests analysed	1,090	84,632
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	BMW R60	Suzuki SV650S
Lights & signalling	1.9%	5.0%
Brakes	1.1%	4.7%
Steering & suspension	1.6%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	0.6%	3.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	0.8%
Drive system	0%	1.2%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.9%

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	BMW R60	Suzuki SV650S
2010	92.7%	80.3%
2011	87.1%	80.0%
2012	95.0%	78.8%
2013	85.0%	77.9%
2014	86.8%	78.3%
2015	93.2%	78.6%
2016	91.3%	78.9%
2017	91.4%	78.3%

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	BMW R60	Suzuki SV650S
0k-10k miles	90.3%	88.2%
10k-20k miles	90.0%	81.6%
20k-30k miles	92.2%	76.9%
30k-40k miles	87.4%	73.6%
40k-50k miles	87.3%	73.3%
50k-60k miles	93.8%	70.6%

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

BMW R60 vs Suzuki SV650S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW R60 or the Suzuki SV650S?

The BMW R60 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 90.5% vs 80.6%, a 9.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R60 still comes out ahead: +4.5 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW R60, -4.0 for the Suzuki SV650S. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW R60 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.9% of BMW R60 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.6%).

What does the Suzuki SV650S fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.0% of Suzuki SV650S MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.7%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the BMW R60 or the Suzuki SV650S?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R60 passes first time more often: 93.8% for the BMW R60 vs 70.6% for the Suzuki SV650S.

BMW R60 90.5% pass · 1,090 tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k tests

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