BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Triumph TT600/vs Suzuki SV650S
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Triumph TT600 vs Suzuki SV650S

The Suzuki SV650S passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph TT600: 80.6% vs 79.9%, a 0.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Triumph TT600 Suzuki SV650S
First-time pass rate 79.9% 80.6%
Outright fail rate 12.5% 11.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -5.0 pts -4.0 pts
Engine size 599cc 645cc
Rank among all models #3603 of 5428 #3459 of 5428
Median miles at test 15,568 16,958
MOT tests analysed 15,432 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 TT600 Suzuki SV650S
Lights & signalling 5.3% 5.0%
Brakes 4.3% 4.7%
Steering & suspension 4.7% 2.5%
Tyres & wheels 2.5% 3.0%
Drive system 1.0% 1.2%
Structure & body 1.3% 0.9%
Fuel & exhaust 0.4% 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 TT600 Suzuki SV650S
2013 79.8% 77.9%
2014 76.5% 78.3%
2015 78.4% 78.6%
2016 78.9% 78.9%
2017 78.2% 78.3%
2018 81.5% 80.4%
2019 80.6% 80.0%
2020 80.3% 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 TT600 Suzuki SV650S
0k-10k miles 86.9% 88.2%
10k-20k miles 79.5% 81.6%
20k-30k miles 75.8% 76.9%
30k-40k miles 73.1% 73.6%
40k-50k miles 74.4% 73.3%
50k-60k miles 76.9% 70.6%

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

Triumph TT600 vs Suzuki SV650S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph TT600 or the Suzuki SV650S?

The Suzuki SV650S passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph TT600: 80.6% vs 79.9%, a 0.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki SV650S still comes out ahead: -5.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph TT600, -4.0 for the Suzuki SV650S. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Triumph TT600 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.3% of Triumph TT600 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.7%).

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 TT600 or the Suzuki SV650S?

At 50k-60k miles the Triumph TT600 passes first time more often: 76.9% for the Triumph TT600 vs 70.6% for the Suzuki SV650S.

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