Suzuki TL1000S MOT pass rate and common failures
Suzuki TL1000S motorcycles pass the MOT 88.55% of the time, measured across 393 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.33% 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 does not conform to the specified requirements - it accounts for 32.1% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check not working and flashing more than 120 times a minute, 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 (15.8% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 28,793 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ years | 88.49% | 391 |
Why the Suzuki TL1000S 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 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 32.1% | 9 | |
| 2 | Not working | 32.1% | 9 | |
| 3 | Flashing more than 120 times a minute | 21.4% | 6 | |
| 4 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 21.4% | 6 | |
| 5 | Missing | 21.4% | 6 | |
| 6 | Missing in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 21.4% | 6 | |
| 7 | Contaminated | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 8 | Excessively binding | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 9 | Has insufficient reserve travel | 10.7% | 3 | |
| 10 | Projected beam image obviously incorrect | 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 | 15.8% | 62 | |
| 2 | Has a serious fluid leak | 5.1% | 20 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 3.8% | 15 | |
| 4 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 3.3% | 13 | |
| 5 | Excessively binding | 3.1% | 12 | |
| 6 | Has a major leak of exhaust gases | 2.5% | 10 | |
| 7 | Chain guard missing | 1.8% | 7 | |
| 8 | Excessively loose | 1.5% | 6 | |
| 9 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 1.5% | 6 | |
| 10 | Worn to excess | 1.5% | 6 |
Suzuki TL1000S for sale
No Suzuki TL1000S 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph TIGER · 969cc | 16,144 | 91.27% | 22,934 | |
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc | 9,796 | 91.92% | 40,594 | |
| BMW R1200 · 1,170cc | 9,521 | 94.43% | 28,830 | |
| BMW S 1000 · 999cc | 8,445 | 91.96% | 15,282 | |
| BMW R1250 · 1,254cc | 6,764 | 96.17% | 17,373 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method