Yamaha XJ900 vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Suzuki GSF1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XJ900: 82.4% vs 81.2%, a 1.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha XJ900	Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate	81.2%	82.4%
Outright fail rate	12.2%	8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.4 pts	-1.2 pts
Engine size	892cc	1,157cc
Rank among all models	#3336 of 5428	#3108 of 5428
Median miles at test	32,674	20,274
MOT tests analysed	37,101	97,637
Most common failure	brakes	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 XJ900	Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling	4.1%	4.5%
Brakes	5.5%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	4.6%	2.2%
Tyres & wheels	3.0%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	1.1%	0.8%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.8%
Drive system	0.0%	0.6%

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 XJ900	Suzuki GSF1200
2018	84.8%	83.2%
2019	82.8%	82.9%
2020	82.8%	83.4%
2021	83.3%	82.9%
2022	83.1%	83.6%
2023	83.3%	83.8%
2024	85.2%	83.4%
2025	82.8%	84.1%

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 XJ900	Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles	87.1%	87.7%
10k-20k miles	86.6%	83.8%
20k-30k miles	83.9%	81.1%
30k-40k miles	79.7%	78.5%
40k-50k miles	78.8%	78.4%
50k-60k miles	76.0%	78.8%

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

Yamaha XJ900 vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha XJ900 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The Suzuki GSF1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XJ900: 82.4% vs 81.2%, a 1.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-0.4 vs -1.2 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha XJ900 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 5.5% of Yamaha XJ900 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.6%).

What does the Suzuki GSF1200 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.5% of Suzuki GSF1200 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Yamaha XJ900 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 50k-60k miles the Suzuki GSF1200 passes first time more often: 76.0% for the Yamaha XJ900 vs 78.8% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

YAMAHA XJ900 81.2% pass · 37.1k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests

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