Suzuki GSF1200 vs Yamaha XJR1300

The Yamaha XJR1300 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 87.4% vs 82.4%, a 5.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki GSF1200	Yamaha XJR1300
First-time pass rate	82.4%	87.4%
Outright fail rate	8.9%	5.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.2 pts	+2.8 pts
Engine size	1,157cc	1,250cc
Rank among all models	#3108 of 5428	#1787 of 5428
Median miles at test	20,274	16,186
MOT tests analysed	97,637	95,093
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	Suzuki GSF1200	Yamaha XJR1300
Lights & signalling	4.5%	2.1%
Brakes	2.8%	1.8%
Tyres & wheels	2.0%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	2.2%	1.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.8%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.8%	0.4%
Drive system	0.6%	0.3%

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	Suzuki GSF1200	Yamaha XJR1300
2018	83.2%	87.3%
2019	82.9%	87.7%
2020	83.4%	89.1%
2021	82.9%	88.3%
2022	83.6%	89.1%
2023	83.8%	89.6%
2024	83.4%	90.1%
2025	84.1%	90.5%

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	Suzuki GSF1200	Yamaha XJR1300
0k-10k miles	87.7%	90.8%
10k-20k miles	83.8%	87.9%
20k-30k miles	81.1%	85.5%
30k-40k miles	78.5%	84.4%
40k-50k miles	78.4%	82.1%
50k-60k miles	78.8%	82.9%

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

Suzuki GSF1200 vs Yamaha XJR1300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki GSF1200 or the Yamaha XJR1300?

The Yamaha XJR1300 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 87.4% vs 82.4%, a 5.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha XJR1300 still comes out ahead: -1.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki GSF1200, +2.8 for the Yamaha XJR1300. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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%).

What does the Yamaha XJR1300 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.1% of Yamaha XJR1300 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Suzuki GSF1200 or the Yamaha XJR1300?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha XJR1300 passes first time more often: 78.8% for the Suzuki GSF1200 vs 82.9% for the Yamaha XJR1300.

SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests YAMAHA XJR1300 87.4% pass · 95.1k tests

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