KAWASAKI EX 650 C9F

649cc Petrol Class 2

#2331 of 5426 overall #265 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1460 of 2787 other bikes

85.6%

first-time pass rate

8.3%

failed outright

12,652

median miles at test

3,438

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The EX 650 C9F's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.9 points since 2012, 89.6% to 81.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the EX 650 C9F's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage EX 650 C9F passes first time 89.9% of the time; by 40k that's 79.7%.

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 650 C9F

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	98	19.5	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	72	14.3	1.0×
tyres and wheels	63	12.5	0.8×
lighting and signalling	60	12	0.4×
steering and suspension	50	10	0.4×
suspension	44	8.8	1.4×
tyres	42	8.4	1.5×
structure and attachments	41	8.2	1.4×
drive system	21	4.2	0.7×
steering	11	2.2	0.8×

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 650 C9F 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 650 C9F.

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: 2009 (84.7%).

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 650 C9F FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI EX 650 C9F reliable?

The KAWASAKI EX 650 C9F is about average for its class: 85.6% of its 3,438 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2331 of 5426 models.

What does a EX 650 C9F fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 20% of all defects recorded against failed EX 650 C9F tests.

What is the best year of EX 650 C9F to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (87.4%) and 2009 worst (84.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a EX 650 C9F last?

The median EX 650 C9F shows 12,652 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 79.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.