KAWASAKI KZ650SR

650cc Petrol Class 2

78.4%

first-time pass rate

15.5%

failed outright

27,840

median miles at test

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a KZ650SR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	15	27.8
brakes	11	20.4
steering and suspension	10	18.5
fuel and exhaust	9	16.7
driving controls	2	3.7
reg plates and vin	2	3.7
lamps and reflectors	2	3.7
tyres and wheels	1	1.9
drive system	1	1.9
body and structure	1	1.9

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 KZ650SR 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 KZ650SR.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1978 (79.1% pass). Weakest: 1978 (79.1%).

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.