KAWASAKI KE175

174cc Petrol Class 1

#2909 of 5426 overall #344 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1836 of 2787 other bikes

83.2%

first-time pass rate

9.2%

failed outright

10,668

median miles at test

573

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The KE175's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (81.6% → 81.0%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the KE175's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage KE175 passes first time 84.3% of the time; by 20k that's 78.3%.

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 KE175

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	66	54.1	1.5×
steering and suspension	17	13.9	0.7×
drive system	8	6.6	1.0×
brakes	5	4.1	0.2×
tyres and wheels	5	4.1	0.4×
body and structure	5	4.1	1.5×
reg plates and vin	5	4.1	1.5×
fuel and exhaust	4	3.3	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	4	3.3	0.3×
structure and attachments	3	2.5	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 KE175 beats 0 of its 1 closest rivals (BSA BANTAM).

BSA BANTAM 88.7% pass · 7,201 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 KE175.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1976 (86.3% pass). Weakest: 1979 (79.7%).

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 KE175 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KE175 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KE175 is more reliable than average for its class: 83.2% of its 573 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #2909 of 5426 models.

What does a KE175 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 54% of all defects recorded against failed KE175 tests.

What is the best year of KE175 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1982-registered examples do best (86.3%) and 1979 worst (79.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KE175 last?

The median KE175 shows 10,668 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 78.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.