KAWASAKI GPZ750R

748cc Petrol Class 2

#3770 of 5426 overall #449 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2396 of 2787 other bikes

79.0%

first-time pass rate

12.7%

failed outright

39,914

median miles at test

763

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2016

The GPZ750R's first-time pass rate has risen 3.8 points since 2006, 75.0% to 78.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GPZ750R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GPZ750R passes first time 86.2% of the time; by 50k that's 78.0%.

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 GPZ750R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	76	31.8	1.6×
brakes	61	25.5	1.4×
steering and suspension	58	24.3	1.8×
tyres and wheels	9	3.8	0.5×
drive system	9	3.8	1.5×
reg plates and vin	8	3.3	1.1×
fuel and exhaust	7	2.9	1.2×
driving controls	5	2.1	2.8×
structure and attachments	3	1.3	0.2×
body and structure	3	1.3	0.5×

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 GPZ750R 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 GPZ750R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1985 (84.6% pass). Weakest: 1984 (62.7%).

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 GPZ750R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI GPZ750R reliable?

The KAWASAKI GPZ750R is less reliable than average for its class: 79.0% of its 763 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3770 of 5426 models.

What does a GPZ750R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed GPZ750R tests.

What is the best year of GPZ750R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1985-registered examples do best (84.6%) and 1984 worst (62.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GPZ750R last?

The median GPZ750R shows 39,914 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 78.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.