BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Triumph T100/vs Suzuki SV650S
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Triumph T100 vs Suzuki SV650S

The Triumph T100 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 88.8% vs 80.6%, a 8.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Triumph T100 Suzuki SV650S
First-time pass rate 88.8% 80.6%
Outright fail rate 4.2% 11.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +1.4 pts -4.0 pts
Engine size 500cc 645cc
Rank among all models #1332 of 5428 #3459 of 5428
Median miles at test 8,892 16,958
MOT tests analysed 5,424 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 T100 Suzuki SV650S
Lights & signalling 1.7% 5.0%
Brakes 1.2% 4.7%
Steering & suspension 1.7% 2.5%
Tyres & wheels 0.9% 3.0%
Drive system 0.2% 1.2%
Fuel & exhaust 0.4% 0.8%
Structure & body 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 Triumph T100 Suzuki SV650S
2013 87.8% 77.9%
2014 91.2% 78.3%
2015 91.5% 78.6%
2016 90.3% 78.9%
2017 85.9% 78.3%
2018 90.1% 80.4%
2019 89.9% 80.0%
2020 87.0% 80.8%

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 T100 Suzuki SV650S
0k-10k miles 90.0% 88.2%
10k-20k miles 86.2% 81.6%
20k-30k miles 86.7% 76.9%
30k-40k miles 89.1% 73.6%
40k-50k miles 88.8% 73.3%
50k-60k miles 89.2% 70.6%

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

Triumph T100 vs Suzuki SV650S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph T100 or the Suzuki SV650S?

The Triumph T100 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki SV650S: 88.8% vs 80.6%, a 8.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph T100 still comes out ahead: +1.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph T100, -4.0 for the Suzuki SV650S. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Triumph T100 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.7% of Triumph T100 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.7%).

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 T100 or the Suzuki SV650S?

At 50k-60k miles the Triumph T100 passes first time more often: 89.2% for the Triumph T100 vs 70.6% for the Suzuki SV650S.

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