BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KAWASAKI/KR1S
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KAWASAKI KR1S

249cc Petrol Class 2
#3073 of 5428 overall #363 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1952 of 2788 other bikes
82.5%
first-time pass rate
10.8%
failed outright
18,788
median miles at test
1,180
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-1.9pp
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 · 2006–2025

The KR1S's first-time pass rate has risen 23.0 points since 2006, 74.3% to 97.3%.

67%83%100%2006: 74.3% pass (101 tests)2007: 75.8% pass (95 tests)2008: 79.0% pass (81 tests)2009: 77.6% pass (67 tests)2010: 76.9% pass (65 tests)2011: 73.0% pass (74 tests)2012: 78.3% pass (60 tests)2013: 90.9% pass (55 tests)2014: 84.6% pass (52 tests)2015: 80.4% pass (56 tests)2016: 81.7% pass (60 tests)2017: 89.4% pass (66 tests)2018: 89.4% pass (47 tests)2019: 89.4% pass (47 tests)2021: 88.9% pass (45 tests)2022: 90.0% pass (50 tests)2023: 95.1% pass (41 tests)2024: 84.4% pass (32 tests)2025: 97.3% pass (37 tests)20062025

Pass rate by mileage

how the KR1S's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KR1S passes first time 89.0% of the time; by 30k that's 82.8%.

77%84%91%0k: 89.0% pass (173 tests)10k: 79.2% pass (496 tests)20k: 82.6% pass (380 tests)30k: 82.8% pass (99 tests)0k20k30k

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 KR1S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
108 31.4 1.3×
steering and suspension
84 24.4 1.7×
brakes
74 21.5 1.0×
lamps and reflectors
24 7 0.4×
drive system
15 4.4 1.6×
tyres and wheels
12 3.5 0.5×
fuel and exhaust
11 3.2 1.0×
reg plates and vin
6 1.7 0.9×
audible warning (Horn)
5 1.5 2.3×
structure and attachments
5 1.5 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 KR1S beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 KR1S.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the KR1S

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: 1989 (85.1%). Lowest: 1991 (78.1%). Every KR1S year compared →

77%82%87%1989: 85.1% pass (74 tests)1990: 83.6% pass (658 tests)1991: 78.1% pass (210 tests)1992: 82.2% pass (118 tests)1993: 78.9% pass (71 tests)198919911993

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 KR1S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KR1S reliable?

The KAWASAKI KR1S is less reliable than average for its class: 82.5% of its 1,180 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3073 of 5428 models.

What does a KR1S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling: 31% of all defects recorded against failed KR1S tests.

What is the best year of KR1S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1989-registered examples do best (85.1%) and 1991 worst (78.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KR1S last?

The median KR1S shows 18,788 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 82.8% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.

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