Suzuki SFV MOT pass rate and common failures
Suzuki SFV motorcycles pass the MOT 87.69% of the time, measured across 390 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.38% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 48.1% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) and inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (6.7% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 23,760 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.
Pass rate by age
A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.
| Age at test | Pass rate | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 years | 87.42% | 302 | |
| 11-15 years | 88.75% | 80 |
Why the Suzuki SFV fails
Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.
| # | Item | Of failures | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not working | 48.1% | 13 | |
| 2 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 18.5% | 5 | |
| 3 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 18.5% | 5 | |
| 4 | Has a serious fluid leak | 14.8% | 4 | |
| 5 | Not working on dipped beam | 14.8% | 4 | |
| 6 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 11.1% | 3 | |
| 7 | Missing | 11.1% | 3 | |
| 8 | Seriously damaged | 11.1% | 3 | |
| 9 | Too low | 11.1% | 3 | |
| 10 | Has excessive play | 7.4% | 2 |
Most common advisories
Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.
| # | Item | Of all tests | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 6.7% | 26 | |
| 2 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 6.2% | 24 | |
| 3 | Excessively loose | 3.8% | 15 | |
| 4 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 3.1% | 12 | |
| 5 | Has a serious fluid leak | 2.8% | 11 | |
| 6 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 2.6% | 10 | |
| 7 | Significantly and obviously worn | 2.3% | 9 | |
| 8 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 2.1% | 8 | |
| 9 | Is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied | 2.1% | 8 | |
| 10 | Worn to excess | 2.1% | 8 |
Suzuki SFV for sale
No Suzuki SFV in stock at the moment - 528 other Suzuki bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc | 5,400 | 89.76% | 19,444 | |
| Honda NC · 741cc | 5,311 | 89.53% | 22,765 | |
| Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc | 4,890 | 80% | 29,308 | |
| Honda CBR600F · 599cc | 4,710 | 85.56% | 30,651 | |
| Kawasaki ZX-6R · 599-636cc | 4,510 | 81.62% | 26,019 | |
| Suzuki SV650 · 646cc | 3,834 | 80.99% | 27,644 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method