Triumph Speed Twin vs Suzuki SV650S

The Triumph Speed Twin passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 91.3% vs 80.6%, a 10.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Triumph Speed Twin	Suzuki SV650S
First-time pass rate	91.3%	80.6%
Outright fail rate	2.8%	11.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.5 pts	-4.0 pts
Engine size	500cc	645cc
Rank among all models	#619 of 5428	#3459 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,816	16,958
MOT tests analysed	2,827	84,632
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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.

"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	Triumph Speed Twin	Suzuki SV650S
Lights & signalling	1.2%	5.0%
Brakes	0.5%	4.7%
Tyres & wheels	0.5%	3.0%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	2.5%
Drive system	0.1%	1.2%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	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	Triumph Speed Twin	Suzuki SV650S
2010	92.2%	80.3%
2011	89.2%	80.0%
2012	89.8%	78.8%
2013	95.5%	77.9%
2014	93.8%	78.3%
2015	95.1%	78.6%
2016	89.9%	78.9%
2017	97.4%	78.3%

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	Triumph Speed Twin	Suzuki SV650S
0k-10k miles	91.1%	88.2%
10k-20k miles	91.7%	81.6%
20k-30k miles	89.2%	76.9%
30k-40k miles	90.6%	73.6%
40k-50k miles	93.0%	73.3%
50k-60k miles	92.6%	70.6%

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

Triumph Speed Twin vs Suzuki SV650S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph Speed Twin or the Suzuki SV650S?

The Triumph Speed Twin passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 91.3% vs 80.6%, a 10.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Speed Twin still comes out ahead: +0.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Speed Twin, -4.0 for the Suzuki SV650S. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Triumph Speed Twin fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.2% of Triumph Speed Twin 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 Triumph Speed Twin or the Suzuki SV650S?

At 50k-60k miles the Triumph Speed Twin passes first time more often: 92.6% for the Triumph Speed Twin vs 70.6% for the Suzuki SV650S.

TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN 91.3% pass · 2,827 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.