KAWASAKI KLE 650 CAF

649cc Petrol Class 2

#2120 of 5426 overall #243 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1301 of 2787 other bikes

86.3%

first-time pass rate

7.3%

failed outright

13,920

median miles at test

2,679

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2013–2025

The KLE 650 CAF's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.7 points since 2013, 85.9% to 84.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KLE 650 CAF's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KLE 650 CAF passes first time 91.1% of the time; by 40k that's 74.7%.

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 650 CAF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	58	17.6	0.4×
tyres and wheels	49	14.9	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	45	13.7	0.9×
lighting and signalling	33	10	0.3×
suspension	31	9.4	1.3×
structure and attachments	31	9.4	1.2×
tyres	30	9.1	1.5×
steering and suspension	23	7	0.2×
drive system	15	4.6	0.6×
audible warning (Horn)	14	4.3	2.9×

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 650 CAF 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 KLE 650 CAF.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (90.8% pass). Weakest: 2010 (85.9%).

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.

KAWASAKI KLE 650 CAF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLE 650 CAF reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLE 650 CAF is about average for its class: 86.3% of its 2,679 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2120 of 5426 models.

What does a KLE 650 CAF fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 18% of all defects recorded against failed KLE 650 CAF tests.

What is the best year of KLE 650 CAF to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (90.8%) and 2010 worst (85.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KLE 650 CAF last?

The median KLE 650 CAF shows 13,920 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 74.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.