BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KAWASAKI/KLX300
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KAWASAKI KLX300

292cc Petrol Class 2
#3895 of 5428 overall #461 of 592 KAWASAKIs #25 of 29 off-road bikes
78.1%
first-time pass rate
13.8%
failed outright
3,479
median miles at test
654
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-9.6pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2015

The KLX300's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.7 points since 2006, 74.5% to 71.8%.

69%77%84%2006: 74.5% pass (51 tests)2007: 74.5% pass (47 tests)2008: 73.9% pass (46 tests)2009: 81.1% pass (37 tests)2010: 77.1% pass (35 tests)2011: 81.6% pass (38 tests)2012: 81.4% pass (43 tests)2013: 73.8% pass (42 tests)2014: 73.3% pass (45 tests)2015: 71.8% pass (39 tests)20062015

What fails on a KLX300

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
96 34 1.9×
brakes
39 13.8 1.0×
tyres and wheels
38 13.5 2.0×
steering and suspension
35 12.4 1.3×
lamps and reflectors
31 11 1.4×
reg plates and vin
13 4.6 2.7×
drive system
10 3.5 1.7×
suspension
10 3.5 1.7×
wheels
5 1.8 10.2×
audible warning (Horn)
5 1.8 4.2×

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 KLX300 beats 0 of its 1 closest rivals (HONDA CRF250).

HONDA CRF250 87.9% pass · 31.4k tests Compare head-to-head →

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 KLX300.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the KLX300

More KAWASAKI models

other KAWASAKI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests
KAWASAKI ZX-9R 80.7% pass · 89.0k tests
KAWASAKI ZZR600 79.0% pass · 53.7k tests
KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests
KAWASAKI ZZ-R1100 80.8% pass · 39.7k tests
KAWASAKI ZX 89.4% pass · 34.6k tests

See all KAWASAKI models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 2002 (84.5%). Lowest: 1999 (71.6%). Every KLX300 year compared →

69%78%87%1999: 71.6% pass (95 tests)2000: 80.2% pass (86 tests)2001: 77.8% pass (117 tests)2002: 84.5% pass (168 tests)2003: 75.4% pass (122 tests)199920012003

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 KLX300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLX300 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLX300 is less reliable than average for its class: 78.1% of its 654 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3895 of 5428 models.

What does a KLX300 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling: 34% of all defects recorded against failed KLX300 tests.

What is the best year of KLX300 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2002-registered examples do best (84.5%) and 1999 worst (71.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

Embed this bike

Free to embed on your site, blog or forum: a live Kawasaki KLX300 reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.