KAWASAKI EX500-A4

498cc Petrol Class 2

78.4%

first-time pass rate

15.5%

failed outright

29,208

median miles at test

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a EX500-A4

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	10	23.3
steering and suspension	10	23.3
brakes	8	18.6
drive system	8	18.6
tyres and wheels	2	4.7
fuel and exhaust	1	2.3
reg plates and vin	1	2.3
driving controls	1	2.3
suspension	1	2.3
Items Not Tested	1	2.3

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 EX500-A4 beats 2 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 SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 EX500-A4.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1991 (74.1% pass). Weakest: 1991 (74.1%).

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.