KAWASAKI KLV1000

996cc Petrol Class 2

#1722 of 5426 overall #203 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1043 of 2787 other bikes

87.6%

first-time pass rate

8.0%

failed outright

21,865

median miles at test

1,395

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The KLV1000's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.8 points since 2007, 96.2% to 94.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KLV1000's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KLV1000 passes first time 91.3% of the time; by 50k that's 84.1%.

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 KLV1000

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	55	27	0.7×
steering and suspension	33	16.2	0.7×
tyres and wheels	29	14.2	0.9×
lighting and signalling	23	11.3	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	18	8.8	0.6×
drive system	13	6.4	1.3×
structure and attachments	10	4.9	0.7×
tyres	10	4.9	1.0×
suspension	9	4.4	0.8×
steering	4	2	0.5×

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 KLV1000 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 KLV1000.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (88.8% pass). Weakest: 2005 (85.8%).

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 KLV1000 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLV1000 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLV1000 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.6% of its 1,395 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1722 of 5426 models.

What does a KLV1000 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 27% of all defects recorded against failed KLV1000 tests.

How many miles will a KLV1000 last?

The median KLV1000 shows 21,865 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 84.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.