KAWASAKI EN500-A1

498cc Petrol Class 2

83.2%

first-time pass rate

12.6%

failed outright

19,772

median miles at test

119

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a EN500-A1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	11	26.8
lighting and signalling	7	17.1
steering and suspension	5	12.2
lamps and reflectors	4	9.8
structure and attachments	4	9.8
tyres and wheels	3	7.3
fuel and exhaust	3	7.3
body and structure	2	4.9
suspension	1	2.4
tyres	1	2.4

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 EN500-A1 beats 4 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 EN500-A1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1991 (85.9% pass). Weakest: 1991 (85.9%).

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.