BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
Model report · 2005–2025

KAWASAKI GPZ400

399cc Petrol Class 2
69.6%
first-time pass rate
22.8%
failed outright
31,570
median miles at test
368
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2008

The GPZ400's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.5 points since 2006, 66.0% to 64.5%.

63%69%75%2006: 66.0% pass (47 tests)2007: 72.5% pass (40 tests)2008: 64.5% pass (31 tests)20062008

Pass rate by mileage

how the GPZ400's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GPZ400 passes first time 78.6% of the time; by 50k that's 76.5%.

53%68%83%10k: 78.6% pass (42 tests)20k: 70.2% pass (104 tests)30k: 67.3% pass (98 tests)40k: 57.4% pass (47 tests)50k: 76.5% pass (34 tests)10k30k50k

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 GPZ400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
steering and suspension
71 28.1
brakes
71 28.1
lighting and signalling
51 20.2
drive system
13 5.1
fuel and exhaust
12 4.7
tyres and wheels
11 4.3
lamps and reflectors
8 3.2
suspension
6 2.4
driving controls
5 2
steering
5 2

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 GPZ400 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

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 GPZ400.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1985 (72.5% pass). Weakest: 1987 (60.8%).

58%67%75%1985: 72.5% pass (91 tests)1987: 60.8% pass (74 tests)1988: 66.1% pass (62 tests)198519871988

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.