Norton 16H vs Suzuki SV650S

The Norton 16H passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 93.3% vs 80.6%, a 12.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Norton 16H	Suzuki SV650S
First-time pass rate	93.3%	80.6%
Outright fail rate	2.0%	11.9%
Engine size	498cc	645cc
Rank among all models	#252 of 5428	#3459 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,073	16,958
MOT tests analysed	688	84,632
Most common failure	steering and suspension	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.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Norton 16H	Suzuki SV650S
Brakes	1.0%	4.7%
Lights & signalling	0.1%	5.0%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	0.3%	3.0%
Structure & body	0.4%	0.9%
Drive system	0%	1.2%
Fuel & exhaust	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	Norton 16H	Suzuki SV650S
2006	93.2%	85.9%
2007	98.8%	85.5%
2008	95.6%	82.8%
2009	94.3%	80.5%
2010	90.6%	80.3%
2011	94.2%	80.0%
2012	91.5%	78.8%

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	Norton 16H	Suzuki SV650S
0k-10k miles	90.7%	88.2%
10k-20k miles	96.0%	81.6%
20k-30k miles	95.7%	76.9%
30k-40k miles	97.1%	73.6%

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

Norton 16H vs Suzuki SV650S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Norton 16H or the Suzuki SV650S?

The Norton 16H passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 93.3% vs 80.6%, a 12.7-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Norton 16H fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.0% of Norton 16H MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.9%).

What does the Suzuki SV650S fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.0% of Suzuki SV650S MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.7%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Norton 16H or the Suzuki SV650S?

At 30k-40k miles the Norton 16H passes first time more often: 97.1% for the Norton 16H vs 73.6% for the Suzuki SV650S.

NORTON 16H 93.3% pass · 688 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.