Suzuki SFV650 vs Yamaha FZS600

The Suzuki SFV650 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 87.5% vs 82.6%, a 4.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki SFV650	Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate	87.5%	82.6%
Outright fail rate	5.3%	10.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.0 pts	-0.8 pts
Engine size	649cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#1750 of 5428	#3052 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,630	21,612
MOT tests analysed	1,664	136,558
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	Suzuki SFV650	Yamaha FZS600
Brakes	1.8%	4.5%
Lights & signalling	1.7%	3.4%
Tyres & wheels	1.7%	2.9%
Steering & suspension	1.4%	2.7%
Structure & body	0.6%	1.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	1.1%
Drive system	0.2%	0.9%

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 SFV650	Yamaha FZS600
2018	87.4%	81.3%
2019	89.2%	83.0%
2020	85.3%	83.6%
2021	80.7%	82.8%
2022	86.6%	83.6%
2023	82.5%	84.2%
2024	83.9%	83.3%
2025	91.6%	84.0%

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 SFV650	Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles	92.0%	89.6%
10k-20k miles	85.2%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	83.5%	81.4%
30k-40k miles	80.3%	78.7%
40k-50k miles	54.1%	76.8%

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

Suzuki SFV650 vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki SFV650 or the Yamaha FZS600?

The Suzuki SFV650 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 87.5% vs 82.6%, a 4.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki SFV650 still comes out ahead: +1.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki SFV650, -0.8 for the Yamaha FZS600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki SFV650 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.8% of Suzuki SFV650 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (1.7%).

What does the Yamaha FZS600 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.5% of Yamaha FZS600 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Suzuki SFV650 or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 40k-50k miles the Yamaha FZS600 passes first time more often: 54.1% for the Suzuki SFV650 vs 76.8% for the Yamaha FZS600.

SUZUKI SFV650 87.5% pass · 1,664 tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests

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