Kawasaki VN900 vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Kawasaki VN900 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 86.3% vs 82.4%, a 3.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Kawasaki VN900	Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate	86.3%	82.4%
Outright fail rate	6.9%	8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.1 pts	-1.2 pts
Engine size	900cc	1,157cc
Rank among all models	#2120 of 5428	#3108 of 5428
Median miles at test	11,478	20,274
MOT tests analysed	4,112	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.

"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	Kawasaki VN900	Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling	2.8%	4.5%
Brakes	2.1%	2.8%
Tyres & wheels	2.4%	2.0%
Steering & suspension	1.1%	2.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.3%	0.8%
Structure & body	0.3%	0.8%
Drive system	0.0%	0.6%

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	Kawasaki VN900	Suzuki GSF1200
2018	84.9%	83.2%
2019	84.9%	82.9%
2020	91.1%	83.4%
2021	86.0%	82.9%
2022	85.0%	83.6%
2023	85.6%	83.8%
2024	86.2%	83.4%
2025	84.5%	84.1%

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	Kawasaki VN900	Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles	90.1%	87.7%
10k-20k miles	86.0%	83.8%
20k-30k miles	82.4%	81.1%
30k-40k miles	68.1%	78.5%
40k-50k miles	87.5%	78.4%

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

Kawasaki VN900 vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki VN900 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The Kawasaki VN900 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 86.3% vs 82.4%, a 3.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki VN900 still comes out ahead: +0.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki VN900, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Kawasaki VN900 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.8% of Kawasaki VN900 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.4%).

What does the Suzuki GSF1200 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.5% of Suzuki GSF1200 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kawasaki VN900 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 40k-50k miles the Kawasaki VN900 passes first time more often: 87.5% for the Kawasaki VN900 vs 78.4% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

KAWASAKI VN900 86.3% pass · 4,112 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.