Bsa A50 vs Suzuki SV650S

The Bsa A50 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 89.6% vs 80.6%, a 9.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Bsa A50	Suzuki SV650S
First-time pass rate	89.6%	80.6%
Outright fail rate	3.7%	11.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+5.9 pts	-4.0 pts
Engine size	500cc	645cc
Rank among all models	#1077 of 5428	#3459 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,154	16,958
MOT tests analysed	1,282	84,632
Most common failure	steering and suspension	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	Bsa A50	Suzuki SV650S
Lights & signalling	1.4%	5.0%
Brakes	1.2%	4.7%
Steering & suspension	1.3%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	0.6%	3.0%
Drive system	0.3%	1.2%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	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	Bsa A50	Suzuki SV650S
2010	89.1%	80.3%
2011	88.9%	80.0%
2012	89.1%	78.8%
2013	88.4%	77.9%
2014	90.0%	78.3%
2015	91.2%	78.6%
2016	93.4%	78.9%
2017	86.0%	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	Bsa A50	Suzuki SV650S
0k-10k miles	90.0%	88.2%
10k-20k miles	90.4%	81.6%
20k-30k miles	87.8%	76.9%
30k-40k miles	87.7%	73.6%
40k-50k miles	88.3%	73.3%
50k-60k miles	96.2%	70.6%

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

Bsa A50 vs Suzuki SV650S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Bsa A50 or the Suzuki SV650S?

The Bsa A50 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 89.6% vs 80.6%, a 9.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Bsa A50 still comes out ahead: +5.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Bsa A50, -4.0 for the Suzuki SV650S. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Bsa A50 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.4% of Bsa A50 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.3%).

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 Bsa A50 or the Suzuki SV650S?

At 50k-60k miles the Bsa A50 passes first time more often: 96.2% for the Bsa A50 vs 70.6% for the Suzuki SV650S.

BSA A50 89.6% pass · 1,282 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.