Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 93.7% vs 82.4%, a 11.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se	Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate	93.7%	82.4%
Outright fail rate	3.1%	8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.1 pts	-1.2 pts
Engine size	998cc	1,157cc
Rank among all models	#214 of 5428	#3108 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,193	20,274
MOT tests analysed	1,693	97,637
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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 ZX 1002 BJF SX Se	Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling	0.9%	4.5%
Brakes	0.4%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	0.5%	2.2%
Tyres & wheels	0.7%	2.0%
Structure & body	0.4%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.8%
Drive system	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 ZX 1002 BJF SX Se	Suzuki GSF1200
2021	92.1%	82.9%
2022	93.2%	83.6%
2023	94.6%	83.8%
2024	94.0%	83.4%
2025	94.3%	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 ZX 1002 BJF SX Se	Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles	94.4%	87.7%
10k-20k miles	92.3%	83.8%
20k-30k miles	94.1%	81.1%

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

Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 93.7% vs 82.4%, a 11.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se still comes out ahead: +6.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 0.9% of Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (0.7%).

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 ZX 1002 BJF SX Se or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 20k-30k miles the Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se passes first time more often: 94.1% for the Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se vs 81.1% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

KAWASAKI ZX 1002 BJF SX SE 93.7% pass · 1,693 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.