CCM FT 35S vs Suzuki GS500

The CCM FT 35S passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 86.6% vs 76.4%, a 10.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	CCM FT 35S	Suzuki GS500
First-time pass rate	86.6%	76.4%
Outright fail rate	6.5%	15.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.8 pts	-7.1 pts
Engine size	398cc	487cc
Rank among all models	#2016 of 5428	#4137 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,020	21,676
MOT tests analysed	644	44,924
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	CCM FT 35S	Suzuki GS500
Lights & signalling	5.0%	5.5%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	6.6%
Brakes	0.5%	6.3%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	3.4%
Drive system	0%	2.0%
Structure & body	0.6%	1.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	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	CCM FT 35S	Suzuki GS500
2014	90.4%	74.8%
2015	88.0%	75.5%
2016	88.2%	75.8%
2017	82.5%	76.6%
2018	88.6%	75.8%
2021	90.6%	78.9%
2022	91.2%	80.6%
2023	94.4%	78.2%

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	CCM FT 35S	Suzuki GS500
0k-10k miles	89.0%	86.4%
10k-20k miles	85.5%	78.9%
20k-30k miles	60.0%	74.1%

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

CCM FT 35S vs Suzuki GS500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the CCM FT 35S or the Suzuki GS500?

The CCM FT 35S passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 86.6% vs 76.4%, a 10.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the CCM FT 35S still comes out ahead: -0.8 points vs comparable bikes for the CCM FT 35S, -7.1 for the Suzuki GS500. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the CCM FT 35S fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.0% of CCM FT 35S MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.9%).

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 CCM FT 35S or the Suzuki GS500?

At 20k-30k miles the Suzuki GS500 passes first time more often: 60.0% for the CCM FT 35S vs 74.1% for the Suzuki GS500.

CCM FT 35S 86.6% pass · 644 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.