Enfield 500 vs Suzuki SV650S

The Enfield 500 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 85.3% vs 80.6%, a 4.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Enfield 500	Suzuki SV650S
First-time pass rate	85.3%	80.6%
Outright fail rate	6.9%	11.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.4 pts	-4.0 pts
Engine size	499cc	645cc
Rank among all models	#2411 of 5428	#3459 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,973	16,958
MOT tests analysed	1,020	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	Enfield 500	Suzuki SV650S
Lights & signalling	3.9%	5.0%
Brakes	1.1%	4.7%
Tyres & wheels	1.0%	3.0%
Steering & suspension	1.1%	2.5%
Drive system	0.3%	1.2%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	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	Enfield 500	Suzuki SV650S
2011	76.6%	80.0%
2012	77.3%	78.8%
2013	90.0%	77.9%
2014	86.0%	78.3%
2015	89.6%	78.6%
2016	88.5%	78.9%
2017	88.1%	78.3%
2018	82.9%	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	Enfield 500	Suzuki SV650S
0k-10k miles	84.2%	88.2%
10k-20k miles	83.9%	81.6%
20k-30k miles	88.1%	76.9%

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

Enfield 500 vs Suzuki SV650S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Enfield 500 or the Suzuki SV650S?

The Enfield 500 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 85.3% vs 80.6%, a 4.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Enfield 500 still comes out ahead: -0.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Enfield 500, -4.0 for the Suzuki SV650S. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Enfield 500 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.9% of Enfield 500 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.1%).

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 Enfield 500 or the Suzuki SV650S?

At 20k-30k miles the Enfield 500 passes first time more often: 88.1% for the Enfield 500 vs 76.9% for the Suzuki SV650S.

ENFIELD 500 85.3% pass · 1,020 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.