KAWASAKI KDX

216cc Petrol Class 2

#3975 of 5426 overall #470 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2519 of 2787 other bikes

77.5%

first-time pass rate

14.7%

failed outright

5,585

median miles at test

990

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The KDX's first-time pass rate has risen 19.6 points since 2006, 66.1% to 85.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage KDX passes first time 80.0% of the time; by 20k that's 75.0%.

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 KDX

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	181	36.4	2.1×
steering and suspension	77	15.5	1.8×
brakes	76	15.3	1.3×
tyres and wheels	51	10.3	1.9×
lamps and reflectors	35	7	1.2×
reg plates and vin	23	4.6	3.7×
drive system	20	4	2.1×
tyres	12	2.4	1.0×
audible warning (Horn)	12	2.4	6.6×
suspension	10	2	1.0×

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 KDX beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 KDX.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1998 (84.3% pass). Weakest: 1992 (66.2%).

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 KDX FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KDX reliable?

The KAWASAKI KDX is less reliable than average for its class: 77.5% of its 990 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3975 of 5426 models.

What does a KDX fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed KDX tests.

What is the best year of KDX to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1998-registered examples do best (84.3%) and 1992 worst (66.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KDX last?

The median KDX shows 5,585 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 75.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.