Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
KAWASAKI KZ650
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
The KZ650's first-time pass rate has risen 3.7 points since 2006, 85.2% to 88.9%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage KZ650 passes first time 80.2% of the time; by 40k that's 63.2%.
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 KZ650
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
78 | 40.2 | 1.5× |
| brakes |
|
36 | 18.6 | 0.9× |
| steering and suspension |
|
28 | 14.4 | 1.0× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
13 | 6.7 | 0.8× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
8 | 4.1 | 0.4× |
| drive system |
|
8 | 4.1 | 1.3× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
7 | 3.6 | 1.3× |
| driving controls |
|
7 | 3.6 | 3.5× |
| body and structure |
|
6 | 3.1 | 1.4× |
| tyres |
|
3 | 1.5 | 0.4× |
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
On first-time pass rate the KZ650 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (HONDA CB500, TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE, HONDA CB600 HORNET).
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 KZ650.
Compare with any bike
More KAWASAKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1979 (82.0%). Lowest: 1980 (75.4%). Every KZ650 year compared →
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 KZ650 FAQ
Is the KAWASAKI KZ650 reliable?
The KAWASAKI KZ650 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.7% of its 725 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3439 of 5428 models.
What does a KZ650 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 40% of all defects recorded against failed KZ650 tests.
What is the best year of KZ650 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1979-registered examples do best (82.0%) and 1980 worst (75.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a KZ650 last?
The median KZ650 shows 26,837 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 63.2% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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