KAWASAKI EX 650 DBF ABS

649cc Petrol Class 2

#1075 of 5426 overall #131 of 592 KAWASAKIs #661 of 2787 other bikes

89.6%

first-time pass rate

7.5%

failed outright

10,934

median miles at test

308

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2014–2017

The EX 650 DBF ABS's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.9 points since 2014, 91.9% to 90.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage EX 650 DBF ABS passes first time 94.3% of the time; by 20k that's 87.8%.

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 DBF ABS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	12	28.6
steering and suspension	6	14.3
tyres	6	14.3
lamps and reflectors	6	14.3
lighting and signalling	5	11.9
audible warning (Horn)	2	4.8
suspension	2	4.8
tyres and wheels	1	2.4
drive system	1	2.4
structure and attachments	1	2.4

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 EX 650 DBF ABS beats 4 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 DBF ABS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (89.6% pass). Weakest: 2011 (89.6%).

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.