Mash XY vs Suzuki GS500

The Mash XY passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 86.4% vs 76.4%, a 10.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Mash XY	Suzuki GS500
First-time pass rate	86.4%	76.4%
Outright fail rate	6.0%	15.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.9 pts	-7.1 pts
Engine size	397cc	487cc
Rank among all models	#2091 of 5428	#4137 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,544	21,676
MOT tests analysed	653	44,924
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Mash XY	Suzuki GS500
Lights & signalling	2.1%	5.5%
Steering & suspension	0.6%	6.6%
Brakes	0.3%	6.3%
Tyres & wheels	2.3%	3.4%
Structure & body	1.5%	1.1%
Drive system	0.2%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	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	Mash XY	Suzuki GS500
2018	70.3%	75.8%
2019	86.6%	79.4%
2020	87.8%	76.9%
2021	83.8%	78.9%
2022	90.4%	80.6%
2023	88.3%	78.2%
2024	83.3%	79.7%
2025	91.7%	81.5%

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	Mash XY	Suzuki GS500
0k-10k miles	85.6%	86.4%
10k-20k miles	90.5%	78.9%

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

Mash XY vs Suzuki GS500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Mash XY or the Suzuki GS500?

The Mash XY passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 86.4% vs 76.4%, a 10.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Mash XY still comes out ahead: -2.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Mash XY, -7.1 for the Suzuki GS500. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Mash XY fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 2.3% of Mash XY MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.1%).

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%).

MASH XY 86.4% pass · 653 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.