KAWASAKI 500

498cc Petrol Class 2

#3073 of 5426 overall #363 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1951 of 2787 other bikes

82.5%

first-time pass rate

14.2%

failed outright

20,160

median miles at test

303

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the 500's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 500 passes first time 87.9% of the time; by 30k that's 81.8%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 500

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	34	28.3
steering and suspension	29	24.2
brakes	21	17.5
tyres and wheels	9	7.5
drive system	8	6.7
fuel and exhaust	6	5
structure and attachments	5	4.2
body and structure	4	3.3
lamps and reflectors	2	1.7
audible warning (Horn)	2	1.7

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 500 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 500.