Bsa A7 vs Suzuki SV650S

The Bsa A7 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 92.3% vs 80.6%, a 11.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Bsa A7	Suzuki SV650S
First-time pass rate	92.3%	80.6%
Outright fail rate	2.6%	11.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+4.6 pts	-4.0 pts
Engine size	500cc	645cc
Rank among all models	#415 of 5428	#3459 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,432	16,958
MOT tests analysed	3,265	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	Bsa A7	Suzuki SV650S
Lights & signalling	1.1%	5.0%
Brakes	1.0%	4.7%
Tyres & wheels	0.6%	3.0%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	2.5%
Drive system	0.1%	1.2%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	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 A7	Suzuki SV650S
2011	93.4%	80.0%
2012	91.6%	78.8%
2013	91.7%	77.9%
2014	94.0%	78.3%
2015	91.9%	78.6%
2016	92.8%	78.9%
2017	90.7%	78.3%
2018	92.3%	80.4%

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 A7	Suzuki SV650S
0k-10k miles	90.8%	88.2%
10k-20k miles	96.0%	81.6%
20k-30k miles	93.1%	76.9%
30k-40k miles	91.8%	73.6%
40k-50k miles	93.7%	73.3%
50k-60k miles	96.0%	70.6%

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

Bsa A7 vs Suzuki SV650S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Bsa A7 or the Suzuki SV650S?

The Bsa A7 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 92.3% vs 80.6%, a 11.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Bsa A7 still comes out ahead: +4.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Bsa A7, -4.0 for the Suzuki SV650S. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Bsa A7 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.1% of Bsa A7 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.0%).

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 A7 or the Suzuki SV650S?

At 50k-60k miles the Bsa A7 passes first time more often: 96.0% for the Bsa A7 vs 70.6% for the Suzuki SV650S.

BSA A7 92.3% pass · 3,265 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.