Suzuki SV MOT pass rate and common failures

Suzuki SV motorcycles pass the MOT 84.46% of the time, measured across 296 tests in the DVSA record. A further 6.08% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

About average - within 2.4 points of the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 84.46% 250 of 296

Fixed at the station 6.08% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 18,452 miles

Average age at test 11.53 years old

Engine 656cc MOT class 1 and 2

For sale now 0 Suzuki SV adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

Start with not working - it accounts for 39.3% of failed tests on this model.
Then check does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls and inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, the next two most common reasons.
Age matters here: 85.35% of 6-10 year old examples pass, against 78.38% at 16+ years - a gap of 7 points.
The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (11.1% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 18,452 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	85.35%	198
11-15 years	85.25%	61
16+ years	78.38%	37

Why the Suzuki SV 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	39.3%	11
2	Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls	14.3%	4
3	Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	14.3%	4
4	Remains on when the brakes are released	14.3%	4
5	Excessively loose	10.7%	3
6	Insecure	10.7%	3
7	Missing	10.7%	3
8	Obviously incorrectly positioned	10.7%	3
9	Significantly and obviously worn	10.7%	3
10	Too low	10.7%	3

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	Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition	11.1%	33
2	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	7.8%	23
3	Excessively loose	4.1%	12
4	Excessively stiff or notchy	2.7%	8
5	Less than 1.0 mm thick	2.7%	8
6	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	2%	6
7	Pin or bush excessively worn	2%	6
8	Has a serious fluid leak	1.7%	5
9	Excessively binding	1.4%	4
10	Inscription illegible	1%	3

Suzuki SV for sale

No Suzuki SV in stock at the moment - 528 other Suzuki bikes are advertised.

Used Suzuki SV Used Suzuki All Suzuki Suzuki MOT statistics

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

Suzuki SV MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Suzuki SV?+

84.46% of Suzuki SV MOT tests end in a pass, based on 296 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Suzuki SV?+

Not working, which appears in 39.3% of failed tests on this model.

Does the Suzuki SV get harder to pass as it ages?+

At 16+ years old the pass rate is 78.38%, against 85.35% for examples 6-10 years old.

Where does this data come from?+

From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.

Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+

Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.