KAWASAKI KLX

249cc Petrol Class 2

#4032 of 5426 overall #482 of 592 KAWASAKIs #27 of 29 off-road bikes

77.2%

first-time pass rate

15.2%

failed outright

5,152

median miles at test

2,499

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The KLX's first-time pass rate has risen 10.7 points since 2006, 68.9% to 79.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage KLX passes first time 80.1% of the time; by 20k that's 63.8%.

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 KLX

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	274	24.9	3.9×
brakes	159	14.4	1.1×
suspension	137	12.4	5.2×
lighting and signalling	133	12.1	0.7×
structure and attachments	124	11.3	4.9×
tyres	83	7.5	3.4×
steering and suspension	65	5.9	0.6×
tyres and wheels	53	4.8	0.8×
steering	39	3.5	3.4×
wheels	35	3.2	18.7×

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 KLX beats 0 of its 1 closest rivals (HONDA CRF250).

HONDA CRF250 87.9% pass · 31.4k 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 KLX.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (84.9% pass). Weakest: 2010 (68.1%).

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 KLX FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLX reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLX is less reliable than average for its class: 77.2% of its 2,499 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4032 of 5426 models.

What does a KLX fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 25% of all defects recorded against failed KLX tests.

What is the best year of KLX to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (84.9%) and 2010 worst (68.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KLX last?

The median KLX shows 5,152 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 63.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.