Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The EJ's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2017 (94.2% → 94.4%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage EJ passes first time 94.1% of the time; by 20k that's 89.2%.
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 EJ
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tyres |
|
30 | 34.9 | 1.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
24 | 27.9 | 0.5× |
| suspension |
|
8 | 9.3 | 0.3× |
| brakes |
|
7 | 8.1 | 0.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
5 | 5.8 | 0.2× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
5 | 5.8 | 0.9× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
3 | 3.5 | 0.1× |
| steering |
|
2 | 2.3 | 0.1× |
| driving controls |
|
1 | 1.2 | 0.2× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
1 | 1.2 | 0.2× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the EJ beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 EJ.
Compare with any bike
More KAWASAKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2013 (94.8%). Lowest: 2015 (92.3%). Every Ej year compared →
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.
KAWASAKI EJ FAQ
Is the KAWASAKI EJ reliable?
The KAWASAKI EJ is more reliable than average for its class: 92.7% of its 2,368 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #344 of 5428 models.
What does a EJ fail its MOT on most?
tyres: 35% of all defects recorded against failed EJ tests.
What is the best year of EJ to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (94.8%) and 2015 worst (92.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a EJ last?
The median EJ shows 5,692 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 89.2% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
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