Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Honda GL vs Suzuki GSX1400
The Honda GL passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSX1400: 93.7% vs 88.3%, a 5.4-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Honda GL | Suzuki GSX1400 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 93.7% | 88.3% |
| Outright fail rate | 3.9% | 5.5% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +8.8 pts | +3.5 pts |
| Engine size | 1,832cc | 1,402cc |
| Rank among all models | #214 of 5428 | #1505 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 16,239 | 15,787 |
| MOT tests analysed | 3,311 | 56,777 |
| Most common failure | brakes | 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
| Component | Honda GL | Suzuki GSX1400 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.8% | 1.5% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.4% | 1.8% |
| Lights & signalling | 1.1% | 1.9% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.2% | 1.4% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.1% | 0.3% |
| Structure & body | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Drive system | 0% | 0.2% |
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
| Test year | Honda GL | Suzuki GSX1400 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 93.3% | 89.0% |
| 2019 | 95.3% | 88.8% |
| 2020 | 95.8% | 89.6% |
| 2021 | 95.2% | 89.9% |
| 2022 | 96.8% | 90.5% |
| 2023 | 98.1% | 91.2% |
| 2024 | 96.5% | 92.0% |
| 2025 | 95.1% | 91.6% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Honda GL | Suzuki GSX1400 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 97.8% | 90.7% |
| 10k-20k miles | 95.8% | 88.3% |
| 20k-30k miles | 94.3% | 87.1% |
| 30k-40k miles | 90.2% | 86.4% |
| 40k-50k miles | 83.2% | 84.7% |
| 50k-60k miles | 82.6% | 84.4% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Honda GL vs Suzuki GSX1400 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Honda GL or the Suzuki GSX1400?
The Honda GL passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSX1400: 93.7% vs 88.3%, a 5.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda GL still comes out ahead: +8.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda GL, +3.5 for the Suzuki GSX1400. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Honda GL fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 1.8% of Honda GL MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.4%).
What does the Suzuki GSX1400 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 1.9% of Suzuki GSX1400 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.8%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda GL or the Suzuki GSX1400?
At 50k-60k miles the Suzuki GSX1400 passes first time more often: 82.6% for the Honda GL vs 84.4% for the Suzuki GSX1400.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.