Yamaha R6 vs Suzuki SV650S

The Suzuki SV650S passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha R6: 80.6% vs 78.2%, a 2.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha R6	Suzuki SV650S
First-time pass rate	78.2%	80.6%
Outright fail rate	13.1%	11.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-6.3 pts	-4.0 pts
Engine size	599cc	645cc
Rank among all models	#3881 of 5428	#3459 of 5428
Median miles at test	17,174	16,958
MOT tests analysed	50,812	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	Yamaha R6	Suzuki SV650S
Lights & signalling	7.2%	5.0%
Brakes	4.4%	4.7%
Tyres & wheels	3.0%	3.0%
Steering & suspension	3.3%	2.5%
Drive system	0.9%	1.2%
Structure & body	1.1%	0.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0.9%	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	Yamaha R6	Suzuki SV650S
2013	77.0%	77.9%
2014	76.7%	78.3%
2015	76.4%	78.6%
2016	77.3%	78.9%
2017	79.1%	78.3%
2018	78.2%	80.4%
2019	78.3%	80.0%
2020	78.3%	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	Yamaha R6	Suzuki SV650S
0k-10k miles	84.9%	88.2%
10k-20k miles	78.8%	81.6%
20k-30k miles	74.8%	76.9%
30k-40k miles	72.0%	73.6%
40k-50k miles	73.9%	73.3%
50k-60k miles	73.5%	70.6%

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

Yamaha R6 vs Suzuki SV650S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha R6 or the Suzuki SV650S?

The Suzuki SV650S passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha R6: 80.6% vs 78.2%, a 2.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki SV650S still comes out ahead: -6.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha R6, -4.0 for the Suzuki SV650S. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha R6 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.2% of Yamaha R6 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.4%).

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 Yamaha R6 or the Suzuki SV650S?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha R6 passes first time more often: 73.5% for the Yamaha R6 vs 70.6% for the Suzuki SV650S.

YAMAHA R6 78.2% pass · 50.8k 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.