Matchless G80CS vs Suzuki SV650S

The Matchless G80CS passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 91.1% vs 80.6%, a 10.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Matchless G80CS	Suzuki SV650S
First-time pass rate	91.1%	80.6%
Outright fail rate	2.0%	11.9%
Engine size	500cc	645cc
Rank among all models	#659 of 5428	#3459 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,697	16,958
MOT tests analysed	303	84,632
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Matchless G80CS	Suzuki SV650S
0k-10k miles	90.5%	88.2%
10k-20k miles	96.0%	81.6%
20k-30k miles	90.3%	76.9%

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

MATCHLESS G80CS 91.1% pass · 303 tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k tests

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