KAWASAKI KL650-A1

651cc Petrol Class 2

#3932 of 5426 overall #463 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2487 of 2787 other bikes

77.9%

first-time pass rate

14.1%

failed outright

35,507

median miles at test

263

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the KL650-A1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KL650-A1 passes first time 75.9% of the time; by 40k that's 86.0%.

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 KL650-A1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	34	30.9
brakes	27	24.5
tyres and wheels	13	11.8
steering and suspension	12	10.9
structure and attachments	8	7.3
lamps and reflectors	6	5.5
drive system	4	3.6
tyres	2	1.8
body and structure	2	1.8
reg plates and vin	2	1.8

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the KL650-A1 beats 1 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 KL650-A1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1987 (78.4% pass). Weakest: 1987 (78.4%).

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.