KAWASAKI GPZ750

738cc Petrol Class 2

#3831 of 5426 overall #454 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2428 of 2787 other bikes

78.6%

first-time pass rate

13.6%

failed outright

32,180

median miles at test

3,892

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The GPZ750's first-time pass rate has risen 12.4 points since 2005, 71.8% to 84.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GPZ750's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GPZ750 passes first time 79.3% of the time; by 50k that's 79.5%.

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 GPZ750

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	406	28.4	1.5×
steering and suspension	359	25.1	2.1×
lighting and signalling	330	23.1	1.4×
tyres and wheels	80	5.6	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	67	4.7	1.9×
drive system	53	3.7	1.5×
body and structure	38	2.7	1.9×
reg plates and vin	37	2.6	1.5×
lamps and reflectors	34	2.4	0.4×
suspension	25	1.7	0.7×

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 GPZ750 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 TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 GPZ750.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1988 (82.5% pass). Weakest: 1983 (74.8%).

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 GPZ750 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI GPZ750 reliable?

The KAWASAKI GPZ750 is less reliable than average for its class: 78.6% of its 3,892 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3831 of 5426 models.

What does a GPZ750 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 28% of all defects recorded against failed GPZ750 tests.

What is the best year of GPZ750 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1988-registered examples do best (82.5%) and 1983 worst (74.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GPZ750 last?

The median GPZ750 shows 32,180 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 79.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.