Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
KAWASAKI EX650
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The EX650's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2010 (87.2% → 87.7%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage EX650 passes first time 89.7% of the time; by 40k that's 77.4%.
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 EX650
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
50 | 18 | 0.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
46 | 16.5 | 1.6× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
36 | 12.9 | 0.5× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
30 | 10.8 | 0.8× |
| tyres |
|
26 | 9.4 | 2.1× |
| drive system |
|
24 | 8.6 | 1.7× |
| steering and suspension |
|
23 | 8.3 | 0.4× |
| suspension |
|
17 | 6.1 | 1.4× |
| structure and attachments |
|
16 | 5.8 | 1.5× |
| steering |
|
10 | 3.6 | 1.3× |
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
On first-time pass rate the EX650 beats 3 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 EX650.
Compare with any bike
More KAWASAKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2012 (85.6%). Lowest: 2006 (82.9%). Every EX650 year compared →
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 EX650 FAQ
Is the KAWASAKI EX650 reliable?
The KAWASAKI EX650 is about average for its class: 84.2% of its 1,425 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2690 of 5428 models.
What does a EX650 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 18% of all defects recorded against failed EX650 tests.
What is the best year of EX650 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (85.6%) and 2006 worst (82.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a EX650 last?
The median EX650 shows 11,577 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 77.4% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
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