BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Husqvarna SM610S/vs Suzuki GSF600
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Husqvarna SM610S vs Suzuki GSF600

The Husqvarna SM610S passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 78.0% vs 77.3%, a 0.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Husqvarna SM610S Suzuki GSF600
First-time pass rate 78.0% 77.3%
Outright fail rate 10.9% 14.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -8.8 pts -6.1 pts
Engine size 577cc 599cc
Rank among all models #3913 of 5428 #4013 of 5428
Median miles at test 7,656 21,080
MOT tests analysed 1,583 143,023
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 Husqvarna SM610S Suzuki GSF600
Lights & signalling 7.7% 6.7%
Brakes 1.8% 6.1%
Steering & suspension 2.5% 3.6%
Tyres & wheels 2.1% 3.3%
Structure & body 0.8% 1.5%
Drive system 0.8% 1.4%
Fuel & exhaust 0.6% 1.2%

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

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Husqvarna SM610S Suzuki GSF600
2018 72.2% 77.7%
2019 82.4% 76.7%
2020 87.0% 77.8%
2021 84.7% 76.8%
2022 89.3% 78.1%
2023 87.0% 78.2%
2024 76.7% 78.9%
2025 76.5% 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 Husqvarna SM610S Suzuki GSF600
0k-10k miles 78.3% 86.8%
10k-20k miles 78.7% 80.1%
20k-30k miles 77.5% 75.2%
30k-40k miles 77.4% 71.3%

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

Husqvarna SM610S vs Suzuki GSF600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Husqvarna SM610S or the Suzuki GSF600?

The Husqvarna SM610S passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 78.0% vs 77.3%, a 0.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki GSF600 still comes out ahead: -8.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Husqvarna SM610S, -6.1 for the Suzuki GSF600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Husqvarna SM610S fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.7% of Husqvarna SM610S MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.5%).

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 Husqvarna SM610S or the Suzuki GSF600?

At 30k-40k miles the Husqvarna SM610S passes first time more often: 77.4% for the Husqvarna SM610S vs 71.3% for the Suzuki GSF600.

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