KAWASAKI KL650-C8

651cc Petrol Class 2

#2264 of 5426 overall #259 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1406 of 2787 other bikes

85.8%

first-time pass rate

7.1%

failed outright

14,984

median miles at test

338

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the KL650-C8's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KL650-C8 passes first time 89.7% of the time; by 20k that's 82.1%.

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-C8

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	9	20
brakes	8	17.8
lamps and reflectors	6	13.3
tyres and wheels	6	13.3
steering and suspension	4	8.9
tyres	3	6.7
drive system	3	6.7
wheels	2	4.4
fuel and exhaust	2	4.4
reg plates and vin	2	4.4

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-C8 beats 3 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-C8.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2002 (86.9% pass). Weakest: 2002 (86.9%).

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.