KAWASAKI ER650

649cc Petrol Class 2

#3399 of 5426 overall #402 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2170 of 2787 other bikes

80.9%

first-time pass rate

10.2%

failed outright

13,453

median miles at test

837

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2025

The ER650's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2011 (87.2% → 87.1%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the ER650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ER650 passes first time 90.3% of the time; by 30k that's 73.6%.

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 ER650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	31	22	1.6×
lighting and signalling	23	16.3	0.4×
brakes	21	14.9	0.5×
tyres	11	7.8	1.7×
tyres and wheels	11	7.8	0.7×
steering and suspension	11	7.8	0.4×
suspension	9	6.4	1.3×
structure and attachments	9	6.4	1.6×
drive system	8	5.7	1.3×
steering	7	5	2.0×

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 ER650 beats 2 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 ER650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (86.3% pass). Weakest: 2012 (73.0%).

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 ER650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ER650 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ER650 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.9% of its 837 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3399 of 5426 models.

What does a ER650 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 22% of all defects recorded against failed ER650 tests.

What is the best year of ER650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (86.3%) and 2012 worst (73.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ER650 last?

The median ER650 shows 13,453 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 73.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.