KAWASAKI KZ1100

1100cc Petrol Class 2

#2264 of 5426 overall #259 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1406 of 2787 other bikes

85.8%

first-time pass rate

5.5%

failed outright

35,162

median miles at test

218

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the KZ1100's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KZ1100 passes first time 89.2% of the time; by 40k that's 82.6%.

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 KZ1100

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	5	21.7
brakes	5	21.7
lamps and reflectors	4	17.4
steering and suspension	4	17.4
fuel and exhaust	3	13
suspension	1	4.3
audible warning (Horn)	1	4.3

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 KZ1100 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 KZ1100.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1982 (89.9% pass). Weakest: 1981 (82.4%).

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.