The picture
Gsx600: above-average pass rates, with caveats
Across 746 MOT tests, the Gsx600 returns 80.3% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. A binding brake and lamp missing or inoperative round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 28,682, 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.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
21 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 02
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
14 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 03
A lamp missing or inoperative
14 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 04
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
14 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 05
Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute
9 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 06
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
8 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 07
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
8 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 08
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
8 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 09
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
7 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 10
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
7 occurrences · 0.9% 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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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.
Buying or keeping a Gsx600?
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 Gsx600 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.