BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Moto Guzzi V50 Ii/vs Suzuki GSF600
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Moto Guzzi V50 Ii vs Suzuki GSF600

The Moto Guzzi V50 Ii passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 83.6% vs 77.3%, a 6.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Moto Guzzi V50 Ii Suzuki GSF600
First-time pass rate 83.6% 77.3%
Outright fail rate 9.6% 14.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +0.4 pts -6.1 pts
Engine size 490cc 599cc
Rank among all models #2835 of 5428 #4013 of 5428
Median miles at test 29,956 21,080
MOT tests analysed 1,394 143,023
Most common failure brakes 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 Moto Guzzi V50 Ii Suzuki GSF600
Lights & signalling 4.2% 6.7%
Brakes 3.9% 6.1%
Steering & suspension 3.4% 3.6%
Tyres & wheels 1.6% 3.3%
Structure & body 0.4% 1.5%
Fuel & exhaust 0.4% 1.2%
Drive system 0.1% 1.4%

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 Moto Guzzi V50 Ii Suzuki GSF600
2013 87.6% 74.7%
2014 86.5% 75.0%
2015 76.7% 75.5%
2016 88.8% 76.1%
2017 84.9% 77.0%
2018 90.0% 77.7%
2019 81.0% 76.7%
2020 91.7% 77.8%

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 Moto Guzzi V50 Ii Suzuki GSF600
0k-10k miles 81.2% 86.8%
10k-20k miles 83.6% 80.1%
20k-30k miles 84.9% 75.2%
30k-40k miles 83.9% 71.3%
40k-50k miles 81.2% 69.4%
50k-60k miles 85.4% 68.3%

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

Moto Guzzi V50 Ii vs Suzuki GSF600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii or the Suzuki GSF600?

The Moto Guzzi V50 Ii passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 83.6% vs 77.3%, a 6.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii still comes out ahead: +0.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii, -6.1 for the Suzuki GSF600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.2% of Moto Guzzi V50 Ii MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.9%).

What does the Suzuki GSF600 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.7% of Suzuki GSF600 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.1%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii or the Suzuki GSF600?

At 50k-60k miles the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii passes first time more often: 85.4% for the Moto Guzzi V50 Ii vs 68.3% for the Suzuki GSF600.

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