Model report · 2005–2025
KAWASAKI KZ650B
650cc
Petrol
Class 2
78.0%
first-time pass rate
15.9%
failed outright
21,378
median miles at test
132
MOT tests, 2005–2025
What fails on a KZ650B
failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
18 | 27.7 |
| steering and suspension |
|
13 | 20 |
| body and structure |
|
11 | 16.9 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
6 | 9.2 |
| brakes |
|
5 | 7.7 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
4 | 6.2 |
| drive system |
|
4 | 6.2 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
2 | 3.1 |
| Items Not Tested |
|
1 | 1.5 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
1 | 1.5 |
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 KZ650B beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (HONDA CB500, TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE, HONDA CB600 HORNET).
HONDA
CB500
83.3% pass · 105k tests
TRIUMPH
STREET TRIPLE
87.7% pass · 37.7k tests
HONDA
CB600 HORNET
78.6% pass · 26.4k tests
TRIUMPH
STREET TRIPLE R
87.7% pass · 20.6k 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 KZ650B.
Pass rate by registration year
how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date
Best year to buy used: 1978 (74.6% pass). Weakest: 1978 (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.