KAWASAKI KZ

700cc Petrol Class 2

#3199 of 5426 overall #376 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2032 of 2787 other bikes

81.9%

first-time pass rate

9.5%

failed outright

22,458

median miles at test

454

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2016

The KZ's first-time pass rate has risen 19.9 points since 2006, 67.6% to 87.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage KZ passes first time 85.3% of the time; by 40k that's 53.8%.

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 KZ

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	42	35.3
brakes	29	24.4
steering and suspension	11	9.2
lamps and reflectors	10	8.4
fuel and exhaust	8	6.7
reg plates and vin	6	5
steering	4	3.4
tyres and wheels	4	3.4
tyres	3	2.5
drive system	2	1.7

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the KZ beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 KZ.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1978 (91.1% pass). Weakest: 1980 (74.6%).

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.