Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
KAWASAKI ER 650 HKF
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 ER 650 HKF's first-time pass rate has risen 1.2 points since 2022, 88.5% to 89.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage ER 650 HKF passes first time 93.1% of the time; by 30k that's 90.0%.
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 ER 650 HKF
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
33 | 25.8 | 1.0× |
| structure and attachments |
|
26 | 20.3 | 2.1× |
| brakes |
|
25 | 19.5 | 0.3× |
| tyres |
|
23 | 18 | 1.7× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
9 | 7 | 2.5× |
| suspension |
|
6 | 4.7 | 0.5× |
| steering |
|
3 | 2.3 | 0.3× |
| wheels |
|
2 | 1.6 | 2.1× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
1 | 0.8 | 0.3× |
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 ER 650 HKF 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 ER 650 HKF.
Compare with any bike
More KAWASAKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2020 (92.6%). Lowest: 2018 (83.0%). Every Er 650 HKF 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 ER 650 HKF FAQ
Is the KAWASAKI ER 650 HKF reliable?
The KAWASAKI ER 650 HKF is more reliable than average for its class: 89.9% of its 1,589 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #988 of 5428 models.
What does a ER 650 HKF fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 26% of all defects recorded against failed ER 650 HKF tests.
What is the best year of ER 650 HKF to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2020-registered examples do best (92.6%) and 2018 worst (83.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a ER 650 HKF last?
The median ER 650 HKF shows 6,883 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 90.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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