KAWASAKI EX

649cc Petrol Class 2

#2491 of 5426 overall #287 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1561 of 2787 other bikes

85.0%

first-time pass rate

8.0%

failed outright

9,625

median miles at test

12.1k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2012–2025

The EX's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.6 points since 2012, 86.7% to 85.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage EX passes first time 89.7% of the time; by 50k that's 74.5%.

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 EX

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	550	28.9	2.1×
brakes	409	21.5	0.6×
tyres	249	13.1	2.6×
structure and attachments	222	11.7	2.2×
suspension	155	8.1	1.4×
lighting and signalling	74	3.9	0.1×
audible warning (Horn)	71	3.7	3.2×
steering	64	3.4	1.2×
steering and suspension	57	3	0.1×
Identification of the vehicle	54	2.8	1.9×

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 EX 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 EX.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (87.4% pass). Weakest: 2012 (77.3%).

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 EX FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI EX reliable?

The KAWASAKI EX is about average for its class: 85.0% of its 12,054 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2491 of 5426 models.

What does a EX fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 29% of all defects recorded against failed EX tests.

What is the best year of EX to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (87.4%) and 2012 worst (77.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a EX last?

The median EX shows 9,625 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 74.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.