KAWASAKI ER 500-A

498cc Petrol Class 2

72.6%

first-time pass rate

21.7%

failed outright

25,362

median miles at test

106

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a ER 500-A

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
steering and suspension	18	30.5
brakes	12	20.3
lighting and signalling	12	20.3
tyres and wheels	5	8.5
driving controls	4	6.8
drive system	2	3.4
fuel and exhaust	2	3.4
lamps and reflectors	2	3.4
suspension	1	1.7
structure and attachments	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 ER 500-A beats 0 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 ER 500-A.