BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ KAWASAKI/EX 650 MLFA
Model report · 2005–2025

KAWASAKI EX 650 MLFA

649cc Petrol Class 2
90.1%
first-time pass rate
3.9%
failed outright
4,964
median miles at test
593
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2023–2025

The EX 650 MLFA's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.5 points since 2023, 92.7% to 86.2%.

85%89%94%2023: 92.7% pass (178 tests)2024: 91.6% pass (191 tests)2025: 86.2% pass (218 tests)20232025

What fails on a EX 650 MLFA

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
16 29.1 0.8×
tyres
11 20 1.7×
structure and attachments
7 12.7 1.2×
brakes
7 12.7 0.2×
suspension
6 10.9 0.9×
steering
4 7.3 1.2×
Identification of the vehicle
3 5.5 2.2×
audible warning (Horn)
1 1.8 0.9×

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 650 MLFA 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 EX 650 MLFA.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2021 (90.7% pass). Weakest: 2020 (90.0%).

89%90%92%2020: 90.0% pass (451 tests)2021: 90.7% pass (140 tests)20202021

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 MLFA FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI EX 650 MLFA reliable?

The KAWASAKI EX 650 MLFA is more reliable than average for its class: 90.1% of its 593 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #919 of 5426 models.

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

lamps and reflectors — 29% of all defects recorded against failed EX 650 MLFA tests.