Suzuki Gsxs 1000 S Katana vs Honda CB1300

The Suzuki Gsxs 1000 S Katana passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB1300: 91.3% vs 89.3%, a 2.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki Gsxs 1000 S Katana	Honda CB1300
First-time pass rate	91.3%	89.3%
Outright fail rate	2.8%	5.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.8 pts	+4.5 pts
Engine size	999cc	1,284cc
Rank among all models	#619 of 5428	#1180 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,993	15,887
MOT tests analysed	749	25,878
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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 Gsxs 1000 S Katana	Honda CB1300
Lights & signalling	1.7%	1.6%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	1.5%
Steering & suspension	0.4%	1.5%
Brakes	0.1%	1.4%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.2%
Drive system	0%	0.1%

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 Gsxs 1000 S Katana	Honda CB1300
2022	89.7%	89.5%
2023	91.6%	89.2%
2024	91.8%	90.4%
2025	91.9%	90.4%

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 Gsxs 1000 S Katana	Honda CB1300
0k-10k miles	91.1%	91.9%
10k-20k miles	93.0%	90.2%

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

Suzuki Gsxs 1000 S Katana vs Honda CB1300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki Gsxs 1000 S Katana or the Honda CB1300?

The Suzuki Gsxs 1000 S Katana passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB1300: 91.3% vs 89.3%, a 2.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CB1300 still comes out ahead: +1.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki Gsxs 1000 S Katana, +4.5 for the Honda CB1300. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki Gsxs 1000 S Katana fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.7% of Suzuki Gsxs 1000 S Katana MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (0.8%).

What does the Honda CB1300 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.6% of Honda CB1300 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.5%).

SUZUKI GSXS 1000 S KATANA 91.3% pass · 749 tests HONDA CB1300 89.3% pass · 25.9k tests

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