BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Honda NTV600J/vs Suzuki GSF600
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Honda NTV600J vs Suzuki GSF600

The Suzuki GSF600 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda NTV600J: 77.3% vs 74.8%, a 2.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Honda NTV600J Suzuki GSF600
First-time pass rate 74.8% 77.3%
Outright fail rate 16.8% 14.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -5.9 pts -6.1 pts
Engine size 583cc 599cc
Rank among all models #4324 of 5428 #4013 of 5428
Median miles at test 45,284 21,080
MOT tests analysed 1,001 143,023
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 Honda NTV600J Suzuki GSF600
Brakes 7.2% 6.1%
Lights & signalling 5.3% 6.7%
Steering & suspension 8.1% 3.6%
Tyres & wheels 4.1% 3.3%
Structure & body 1.2% 1.5%
Fuel & exhaust 1.4% 1.2%
Drive system 0% 1.4%

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 Honda NTV600J Suzuki GSF600
2011 67.9% 76.1%
2012 63.6% 75.9%
2013 79.7% 74.7%
2014 85.7% 75.0%
2015 81.1% 75.5%
2016 80.9% 76.1%
2017 81.1% 77.0%
2019 84.4% 76.7%

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 Honda NTV600J Suzuki GSF600
0k-10k miles 63.3% 86.8%
10k-20k miles 77.5% 80.1%
20k-30k miles 79.7% 75.2%
30k-40k miles 78.6% 71.3%
40k-50k miles 83.0% 69.4%
50k-60k miles 75.3% 68.3%

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

Honda NTV600J vs Suzuki GSF600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda NTV600J or the Suzuki GSF600?

The Suzuki GSF600 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda NTV600J: 77.3% vs 74.8%, a 2.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-5.9 vs -6.1 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda NTV600J fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 8.1% of Honda NTV600J MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (7.2%).

What does the Suzuki GSF600 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.7% of Suzuki GSF600 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.1%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda NTV600J or the Suzuki GSF600?

At 50k-60k miles the Honda NTV600J passes first time more often: 75.3% for the Honda NTV600J vs 68.3% for the Suzuki GSF600.

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