Kawasaki VN1500 D1 vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Kawasaki VN1500 D1 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 85.9% vs 82.4%, a 3.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Kawasaki VN1500 D1	Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate	85.9%	82.4%
Outright fail rate	6.9%	8.9%
Median miles at test	21,532	20,274
MOT tests analysed	951	97,637
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.

KAWASAKI VN1500 D1 85.9% pass · 951 tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests

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