KAWASAKI H2

749cc Petrol Class 2

#618 of 5426 overall #71 of 592 KAWASAKIs #376 of 2787 other bikes

91.3%

first-time pass rate

3.1%

failed outright

10,920

median miles at test

1,023

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2018

The H2's first-time pass rate has risen 3.9 points since 2006, 90.4% to 94.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the H2's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage H2 passes first time 92.2% of the time; by 30k that's 84.8%.

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 H2

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	18	26.1	0.3×
steering and suspension	16	23.2	0.4×
lighting and signalling	12	17.4	0.2×
tyres and wheels	6	8.7	0.2×
drive system	6	8.7	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	4	5.8	0.5×
body and structure	4	5.8	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	1	1.4	0.1×
reg plates and vin	1	1.4	0.2×
suspension	1	1.4	0.1×

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 H2 beats 4 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 H2.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1972 (94.4% pass). Weakest: 1974 (85.8%).

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 H2 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI H2 reliable?

The KAWASAKI H2 is more reliable than average for its class: 91.3% of its 1,023 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #618 of 5426 models.

What does a H2 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 26% of all defects recorded against failed H2 tests.

What is the best year of H2 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1972-registered examples do best (94.4%) and 1974 worst (85.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a H2 last?

The median H2 shows 10,920 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 84.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.