KAWASAKI DRIFTER

1400cc Petrol Class 2

#2331 of 5426 overall #265 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1460 of 2787 other bikes

85.6%

first-time pass rate

8.0%

failed outright

16,917

median miles at test

362

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage DRIFTER passes first time 88.5% of the time; by 20k that's 85.5%.

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 DRIFTER

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	21	35
lighting and signalling	18	30
tyres and wheels	5	8.3
fuel and exhaust	5	8.3
steering and suspension	3	5
reg plates and vin	3	5
lamps and reflectors	2	3.3
body and structure	1	1.7
driving controls	1	1.7
tyres	1	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 DRIFTER beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, SUZUKI GSF1200).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests YAMAHA XJR1300 87.4% pass · 95.1k 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 DRIFTER.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2000 (91.2% pass). Weakest: 2003 (82.5%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.