KAWASAKI KL650-C5

651cc Petrol Class 2

#3477 of 5426 overall #414 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2218 of 2787 other bikes

80.5%

first-time pass rate

10.0%

failed outright

15,317

median miles at test

502

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2015

The KL650-C5's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.2 points since 2006, 87.5% to 83.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KL650-C5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KL650-C5 passes first time 85.6% of the time; by 30k 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 KL650-C5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	37	30.8	1.4×
lighting and signalling	27	22.5	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	18	15	1.3×
tyres and wheels	12	10	0.6×
steering and suspension	8	6.7	0.5×
drive system	5	4.2	0.8×
reg plates and vin	5	4.2	1.7×
suspension	4	3.3	1.1×
structure and attachments	2	1.7	0.6×
tyres	2	1.7	0.6×

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 KL650-C5 beats 2 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-C5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2001 (84.6% pass). Weakest: 2000 (78.5%).

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 KL650-C5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KL650-C5 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KL650-C5 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.5% of its 502 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3477 of 5426 models.

What does a KL650-C5 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 31% of all defects recorded against failed KL650-C5 tests.

What is the best year of KL650-C5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2001-registered examples do best (84.6%) and 2000 worst (78.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KL650-C5 last?

The median KL650-C5 shows 15,317 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 75.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.