KAWASAKI EX500-A1
Pass rate over time
The EX500-A1's first-time pass rate has risen 3.7 points since 2006, 65.7% to 69.4%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage EX500-A1 passes first time 73.2% of the time; by 50k that's 63.0%.
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 EX500-A1
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering and suspension |
|
79 | 29.7 |
| brakes |
|
67 | 25.2 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
53 | 19.9 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
19 | 7.1 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
16 | 6 |
| drive system |
|
11 | 4.1 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
9 | 3.4 |
| tyres |
|
4 | 1.5 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
4 | 1.5 |
| driving controls |
|
4 | 1.5 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the EX500-A1 beats 0 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 EX500-A1.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1987 (73.1% pass). Weakest: 1988 (64.1%).
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.