BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Laverda 1200/vs Suzuki GSF1200
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Laverda 1200 vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Laverda 1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 87.2% vs 82.4%, a 4.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Laverda 1200 Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate 87.2% 82.4%
Outright fail rate 5.7% 8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +3.7 pts -1.2 pts
Engine size 1,116cc 1,157cc
Rank among all models #1855 of 5428 #3108 of 5428
Median miles at test 33,399 20,274
MOT tests analysed 547 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 Laverda 1200 Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling 2.6% 4.5%
Brakes 2.9% 2.8%
Steering & suspension 1.8% 2.2%
Tyres & wheels 0.7% 2.0%
Fuel & exhaust 0.7% 0.8%
Drive system 0.2% 0.6%
Structure & body 0% 0.8%

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 Laverda 1200 Suzuki GSF1200
2010 84.2% 81.3%
2011 76.5% 80.2%
2012 87.5% 80.7%
2013 83.7% 80.2%
2014 87.2% 81.0%
2015 88.9% 81.9%
2016 90.5% 82.2%
2017 97.2% 82.9%

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 Laverda 1200 Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles 93.6% 87.7%
10k-20k miles 92.7% 83.8%
20k-30k miles 95.2% 81.1%
30k-40k miles 87.6% 78.5%
40k-50k miles 77.7% 78.4%
50k-60k miles 80.9% 78.8%

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

Laverda 1200 vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Laverda 1200 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The Laverda 1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 87.2% vs 82.4%, a 4.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Laverda 1200 still comes out ahead: +3.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Laverda 1200, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Laverda 1200 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.9% of Laverda 1200 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.6%).

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 Laverda 1200 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 50k-60k miles the Laverda 1200 passes first time more often: 80.9% for the Laverda 1200 vs 78.8% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

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