BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KAWASAKI/KDX
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KAWASAKI KDX

216cc Petrol Class 2
#3977 of 5428 overall #470 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2520 of 2788 other bikes
77.5%
first-time pass rate
14.7%
failed outright
5,585
median miles at test
990
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-5.3pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

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%.

60%79%98%2006: 66.1% pass (62 tests)2007: 67.3% pass (55 tests)2008: 80.4% pass (51 tests)2009: 78.7% pass (47 tests)2010: 69.4% pass (49 tests)2011: 72.5% pass (51 tests)2012: 75.9% pass (54 tests)2013: 72.9% pass (48 tests)2014: 72.0% pass (50 tests)2015: 76.4% pass (55 tests)2016: 72.7% pass (44 tests)2017: 78.7% pass (47 tests)2018: 83.3% pass (42 tests)2019: 75.0% pass (52 tests)2020: 82.6% pass (46 tests)2021: 86.0% pass (57 tests)2022: 86.3% pass (51 tests)2023: 91.4% pass (35 tests)2024: 89.7% pass (39 tests)2025: 85.7% pass (42 tests)20062025

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%.

72%77%81%0k: 80.0% pass (495 tests)10k: 73.6% pass (159 tests)20k: 75.0% pass (72 tests)0k10k20k

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 Share of defects 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 Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 tests Compare head-to-head →

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.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the KDX

More KAWASAKI models

other KAWASAKI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests
KAWASAKI ZX-9R 80.7% pass · 89.0k tests
KAWASAKI ZZR600 79.0% pass · 53.7k tests
KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests
KAWASAKI ZZ-R1100 80.8% pass · 39.7k tests
KAWASAKI ZX 89.4% pass · 34.6k tests

See all KAWASAKI models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 1998 (84.3%). Lowest: 1992 (66.2%). Every KDX year compared →

63%75%88%1989: 80.3% pass (61 tests)1990: 75.8% pass (132 tests)1991: 81.9% pass (105 tests)1992: 66.2% pass (74 tests)1998: 84.3% pass (51 tests)1999: 74.8% pass (103 tests)2001: 79.0% pass (81 tests)2003: 70.0% pass (60 tests)198919982003

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 #3977 of 5428 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, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.

Embed this bike

Free to embed on your site, blog or forum: a live Kawasaki KDX reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.