BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Honda NTV650/vs Suzuki GSF600
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Honda NTV650 vs Suzuki GSF600

The Honda NTV650 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 78.8% vs 77.3%, a 1.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Honda NTV650 Suzuki GSF600
First-time pass rate 78.8% 77.3%
Outright fail rate 13.8% 14.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -2.4 pts -6.1 pts
Engine size 647cc 599cc
Rank among all models #3805 of 5428 #4013 of 5428
Median miles at test 37,464 21,080
MOT tests analysed 11,858 143,023
Most common failure brakes 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 NTV650 Suzuki GSF600
Brakes 5.9% 6.1%
Lights & signalling 4.9% 6.7%
Steering & suspension 6.1% 3.6%
Tyres & wheels 3.4% 3.3%
Structure & body 1.1% 1.5%
Fuel & exhaust 1.0% 1.2%
Drive system 0.1% 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 NTV650 Suzuki GSF600
2018 82.7% 77.7%
2019 79.6% 76.7%
2020 79.8% 77.8%
2021 82.4% 76.8%
2022 83.6% 78.1%
2023 83.3% 78.2%
2024 80.8% 78.9%
2025 82.4% 79.6%

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 Honda NTV650 Suzuki GSF600
0k-10k miles 82.9% 86.8%
10k-20k miles 84.4% 80.1%
20k-30k miles 80.5% 75.2%
30k-40k miles 79.5% 71.3%
40k-50k miles 78.6% 69.4%
50k-60k miles 75.7% 68.3%

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

Honda NTV650 vs Suzuki GSF600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda NTV650 or the Suzuki GSF600?

The Honda NTV650 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 78.8% vs 77.3%, a 1.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda NTV650 still comes out ahead: -2.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda NTV650, -6.1 for the Suzuki GSF600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda NTV650 fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 6.1% of Honda NTV650 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (5.9%).

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 NTV650 or the Suzuki GSF600?

At 50k-60k miles the Honda NTV650 passes first time more often: 75.7% for the Honda NTV650 vs 68.3% for the Suzuki GSF600.

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