KAWASAKI KL650-C2

651cc Petrol Class 2

73.9%

first-time pass rate

20.5%

failed outright

16,633

median miles at test

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a KL650-C2

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	13	32.5
brakes	10	25
steering and suspension	6	15
tyres and wheels	4	10
reg plates and vin	2	5
steering	1	2.5
lamps and reflectors	1	2.5
structure and attachments	1	2.5
suspension	1	2.5
drive system	1	2.5

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-C2 beats 0 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-C2.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1997 (78.4% pass). Weakest: 1997 (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.