Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
KAWASAKI ELIMINATOR
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 ELIMINATOR's first-time pass rate has risen 5.0 points since 2006, 75.0% to 80.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage ELIMINATOR passes first time 77.9% of the time; by 40k that's 75.0%.
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 ELIMINATOR
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
54 | 23.8 | 1.3× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
52 | 22.9 | 1.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
27 | 11.9 | 1.0× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
21 | 9.3 | 2.7× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
19 | 8.4 | 1.0× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
16 | 7 | 0.8× |
| driving controls |
|
12 | 5.3 | 5.7× |
| suspension |
|
9 | 4 | 1.0× |
| drive system |
|
9 | 4 | 1.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
8 | 3.5 | 1.3× |
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 ELIMINATOR beats 0 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 ELIMINATOR.
Compare with any bike
More KAWASAKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1985 (78.9%). Lowest: 1988 (75.0%). Every Eliminator 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 ELIMINATOR FAQ
Is the KAWASAKI ELIMINATOR reliable?
The KAWASAKI ELIMINATOR is less reliable than average for its class: 76.1% of its 824 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4173 of 5428 models.
What does a ELIMINATOR fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 24% of all defects recorded against failed ELIMINATOR tests.
What is the best year of ELIMINATOR to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1985-registered examples do best (78.9%) and 1988 worst (75.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a ELIMINATOR last?
The median ELIMINATOR shows 16,714 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 75.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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