Suzuki SV 650 AL9 MOT pass rate and common failures

Suzuki SV 650 AL9 motorcycles pass the MOT 89.85% of the time, measured across 266 tests in the DVSA record. A further 6.39% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 3 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 89.85% 239 of 266

Fixed at the station 6.39% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 14,476 miles

Average age at test 5.88 years old

Engine 645cc MOT class 1 and 2

For sale now 0 Suzuki SV 650 AL9 adverts

What to check before the MOT

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

Start with excessively loose - it accounts for 40% of failed tests on this model.
Then check too low and inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, the next two most common reasons.
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 (7.1% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 14,476 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
3-5 years	90.44%		136
6-10 years	89.23%		130

Why the Suzuki SV 650 AL9 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	Excessively loose	40%	4
2	Too low	40%	4
3	Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	30%	3
4	Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s)	20%	2
5	Less than 1.0 mm thick	20%	2
6	Missing	20%	2
7	Not working	20%	2
8	Projected beam image obviously incorrect	20%	2
9	Seriously damaged	20%	2
10	Too high	20%	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	Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition	7.1%	19
2	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	4.9%	13
3	Less than 1.0 mm thick	4.1%	11
4	Excessively loose	1.9%	5
5	In such a condition that it is seriously weakened	1.9%	5
6	Is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied	1.5%	4
7	Is so short that the brake cannot be readily applied	1.5%	4
8	Excessively deformed	1.1%	3
9	Sprocket worn to excess	1.1%	3
10	Tread not clearly visible	1.1%	3

Suzuki SV 650 AL9 for sale

No Suzuki SV 650 AL9 in stock at the moment - 529 other Suzuki bikes are advertised.

Used Suzuki SV 650 AL9 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 650 AL9 MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Suzuki SV 650 AL9?+

89.85% of Suzuki SV 650 AL9 MOT tests end in a pass, based on 266 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Suzuki SV 650 AL9?+

Excessively loose, which appears in 40% of failed tests on this model.

Does the Suzuki SV 650 AL9 get harder to pass as it ages?+

At 6-10 years old the pass rate is 89.23%, against 90.44% for examples 3-5 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.