KAWASAKI KLE

649cc Petrol Class 2

#1748 of 5426 overall #206 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1058 of 2787 other bikes

87.5%

first-time pass rate

6.7%

failed outright

12,775

median miles at test

5,917

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2025

The KLE's first-time pass rate has risen 12.3 points since 2011, 76.1% to 88.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage KLE passes first time 92.8% of the time; by 50k that's 81.8%.

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 KLE

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	160	24.3	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	142	21.5	1.2×
tyres	108	16.4	2.2×
suspension	71	10.8	1.5×
structure and attachments	66	10	1.4×
lighting and signalling	30	4.6	0.1×
steering and suspension	26	3.9	0.1×
tyres and wheels	21	3.2	0.2×
drive system	18	2.7	0.3×
audible warning (Horn)	17	2.6	1.6×

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 KLE beats 4 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 KLE.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (93.1% pass). Weakest: 1994 (71.4%).

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.

KAWASAKI KLE FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLE reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLE is more reliable than average for its class: 87.5% of its 5,917 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1748 of 5426 models.

What does a KLE fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 24% of all defects recorded against failed KLE tests.

What is the best year of KLE to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (93.1%) and 1994 worst (71.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KLE last?

The median KLE shows 12,775 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 81.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.