The picture

Sv650: above-average pass rates, with caveats

Across 4,910 MOT tests, the Sv650 returns 82.4% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. Tyre tread under the limit and rate of flashing not between 60 round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 27,304, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.

ABI Insurance Group

Group 4–22

Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.

Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →

4–22

out of 50

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Top ten reasons for rejection.

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01

A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely

108 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
02

Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute

83 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
03

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

75 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
04

A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

62 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
05

Audible warning not working

59 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
06

Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

55 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
07

Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake

47 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
08

Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements

43 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
09

Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear

42 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
10

Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm

40 occurrences · 0.6% of tests

Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.

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Tools that pre-empt a retest.

Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.

Item 01 · Amazon UK

Digital tyre-tread depth gauge

Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.

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Parts & supplies for this fix

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Buying or keeping a Sv650?

Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.

If you own a Sv650 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.