Bsa B44 vs Suzuki GS500

The Bsa B44 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 90.2% vs 76.4%, a 13.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Bsa B44	Suzuki GS500
First-time pass rate	90.2%	76.4%
Outright fail rate	3.9%	15.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.4 pts	-7.1 pts
Engine size	441cc	487cc
Rank among all models	#884 of 5428	#4137 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,685	21,676
MOT tests analysed	620	44,924
Most common failure	steering and suspension	brakes

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 B44	Suzuki GS500
Steering & suspension	1.8%	6.6%
Lights & signalling	1.9%	5.5%
Brakes	0.5%	6.3%
Tyres & wheels	1.0%	3.4%
Drive system	0.5%	2.0%
Structure & body	0.5%	1.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.7%

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 B44	Suzuki GS500
2010	93.5%	74.5%
2011	95.0%	74.9%
2012	90.5%	75.6%
2013	92.2%	74.6%
2014	88.1%	74.8%
2015	89.8%	75.5%
2016	95.7%	75.8%
2017	94.2%	76.6%

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 B44	Suzuki GS500
0k-10k miles	89.8%	86.4%
10k-20k miles	93.1%	78.9%
20k-30k miles	91.4%	74.1%

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

Bsa B44 vs Suzuki GS500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Bsa B44 or the Suzuki GS500?

The Bsa B44 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 90.2% vs 76.4%, a 13.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Bsa B44 still comes out ahead: +0.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Bsa B44, -7.1 for the Suzuki GS500. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Bsa B44 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.9% of Bsa B44 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.8%).

What does the Suzuki GS500 fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 6.6% of Suzuki GS500 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.3%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Bsa B44 or the Suzuki GS500?

At 20k-30k miles the Bsa B44 passes first time more often: 91.4% for the Bsa B44 vs 74.1% for the Suzuki GS500.

BSA B44 90.2% pass · 620 tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests

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