BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Suzuki GSX1400/vs Yamaha XJR1300
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Suzuki GSX1400 vs Yamaha XJR1300

The Suzuki GSX1400 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XJR1300: 88.3% vs 87.4%, a 0.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Suzuki GSX1400 Yamaha XJR1300
First-time pass rate 88.3% 87.4%
Outright fail rate 5.5% 5.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +3.5 pts +2.8 pts
Engine size 1,402cc 1,250cc
Rank among all models #1505 of 5428 #1787 of 5428
Median miles at test 15,787 16,186
MOT tests analysed 56,777 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 GSX1400 Yamaha XJR1300
Lights & signalling 1.9% 2.1%
Tyres & wheels 1.8% 1.7%
Brakes 1.5% 1.8%
Steering & suspension 1.4% 1.0%
Fuel & exhaust 0.3% 0.4%
Structure & body 0.2% 0.4%
Drive system 0.2% 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 GSX1400 Yamaha XJR1300
2018 89.0% 87.3%
2019 88.8% 87.7%
2020 89.6% 89.1%
2021 89.9% 88.3%
2022 90.5% 89.1%
2023 91.2% 89.6%
2024 92.0% 90.1%
2025 91.6% 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 GSX1400 Yamaha XJR1300
0k-10k miles 90.7% 90.8%
10k-20k miles 88.3% 87.9%
20k-30k miles 87.1% 85.5%
30k-40k miles 86.4% 84.4%
40k-50k miles 84.7% 82.1%
50k-60k miles 84.4% 82.9%

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

Suzuki GSX1400 vs Yamaha XJR1300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki GSX1400 or the Yamaha XJR1300?

The Suzuki GSX1400 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XJR1300: 88.3% vs 87.4%, a 0.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+3.5 vs +2.8 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki GSX1400 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.9% of Suzuki GSX1400 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.8%).

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 GSX1400 or the Yamaha XJR1300?

At 50k-60k miles the Suzuki GSX1400 passes first time more often: 84.4% for the Suzuki GSX1400 vs 82.9% for the Yamaha XJR1300.

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