KAWASAKI KR1

249cc Petrol Class 2

#2749 of 5426 overall #323 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1736 of 2787 other bikes

84.0%

first-time pass rate

9.8%

failed outright

16,949

median miles at test

662

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2023

The KR1's first-time pass rate has risen 17.2 points since 2006, 76.1% to 93.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KR1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KR1 passes first time 87.8% of the time; by 30k that's 90.2%.

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 KR1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	41	27.2	0.9×
lighting and signalling	40	26.5	1.0×
steering and suspension	38	25.2	1.3×
tyres and wheels	15	9.9	1.1×
reg plates and vin	6	4	1.1×
drive system	5	3.3	1.0×
structure and attachments	2	1.3	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	2	1.3	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	1	0.7	0.1×
audible warning (Horn)	1	0.7	0.8×

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 KR1 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 KR1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1990 (86.3% pass). Weakest: 1988 (78.9%).

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 KR1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KR1 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KR1 is about average for its class: 84.0% of its 662 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2749 of 5426 models.

What does a KR1 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 27% of all defects recorded against failed KR1 tests.

What is the best year of KR1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1990-registered examples do best (86.3%) and 1988 worst (78.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KR1 last?

The median KR1 shows 16,949 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 90.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.