KTM 450SMR vs Suzuki GS500

The KTM 450SMR passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 79.5% vs 76.4%, a 3.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 450SMR	Suzuki GS500
First-time pass rate	79.5%	76.4%
Outright fail rate	11.5%	15.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-8.6 pts	-7.1 pts
Engine size	449cc	487cc
Rank among all models	#3687 of 5428	#4137 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,952	21,676
MOT tests analysed	1,339	44,924
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	KTM 450SMR	Suzuki GS500
Lights & signalling	7.4%	5.5%
Steering & suspension	3.7%	6.6%
Brakes	2.2%	6.3%
Tyres & wheels	3.1%	3.4%
Drive system	1.0%	2.0%
Structure & body	0.4%	1.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	0.7%

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	KTM 450SMR	Suzuki GS500
2018	81.5%	75.8%
2019	82.5%	79.4%
2020	80.0%	76.9%
2021	84.4%	78.9%
2022	85.1%	80.6%
2023	85.7%	78.2%
2024	77.8%	79.7%
2025	80.6%	81.5%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

KTM 450SMR vs Suzuki GS500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 450SMR or the Suzuki GS500?

The KTM 450SMR passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 79.5% vs 76.4%, a 3.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki GS500 still comes out ahead: -8.6 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 450SMR, -7.1 for the Suzuki GS500. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 450SMR fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.4% of KTM 450SMR MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.7%).

What does the Suzuki GS500 fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 6.6% of Suzuki GS500 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.3%).

KTM 450SMR 79.5% pass · 1,339 tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests

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