KAWASAKI KLZ

1043cc Petrol Class 2

#1448 of 5426 overall #178 of 592 KAWASAKIs #881 of 2787 other bikes

88.5%

first-time pass rate

4.4%

failed outright

14,469

median miles at test

5,492

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The KLZ's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.0 points since 2017, 90.3% to 87.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage KLZ passes first time 93.5% of the time; by 50k that's 86.7%.

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 KLZ

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	152	36.5	1.2×
tyres	86	20.6	1.9×
brakes	73	17.5	0.2×
suspension	39	9.4	0.9×
steering	23	5.5	0.9×
structure and attachments	18	4.3	0.4×
tyres and wheels	11	2.6	0.1×
audible warning (Horn)	8	1.9	0.8×
lighting and signalling	4	1	—
wheels	3	0.7	0.9×

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 KLZ 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 KLZ.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (91.5% pass). Weakest: 2016 (87.4%).

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 KLZ FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLZ reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLZ is more reliable than average for its class: 88.5% of its 5,492 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1448 of 5426 models.

What does a KLZ fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 36% of all defects recorded against failed KLZ tests.

What is the best year of KLZ to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (91.5%) and 2016 worst (87.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KLZ last?

The median KLZ shows 14,469 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 86.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.