KAWASAKI ER

649cc Petrol Class 2

#2146 of 5426 overall #246 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1324 of 2787 other bikes

86.2%

first-time pass rate

7.1%

failed outright

10,117

median miles at test

8,001

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The ER's first-time pass rate has risen 3.6 points since 2016, 82.6% to 86.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ER passes first time 90.8% of the time; by 50k that's 70.2%.

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 ER

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	294	28.2	1.7×
brakes	212	20.3	0.5×
structure and attachments	172	16.5	2.4×
tyres	147	14.1	2.5×
suspension	81	7.8	1.3×
audible warning (Horn)	33	3.2	2.3×
lighting and signalling	29	2.8	0.1×
Identification of the vehicle	26	2.5	1.4×
steering	25	2.4	0.7×
steering and suspension	24	2.3	0.1×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the ER 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 ER.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2018 (89.9% pass). Weakest: 2007 (76.5%).

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.

KAWASAKI ER FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ER reliable?

The KAWASAKI ER is about average for its class: 86.2% of its 8,001 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2146 of 5426 models.

What does a ER fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 28% of all defects recorded against failed ER tests.

What is the best year of ER to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2018-registered examples do best (89.9%) and 2007 worst (76.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ER last?

The median ER shows 10,117 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 70.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.