KAWASAKI S3

400cc Petrol Class 2

91.9%

first-time pass rate

5.0%

failed outright

14,996

median miles at test

161

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a S3

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	7	46.7
lamps and reflectors	2	13.3
tyres and wheels	2	13.3
fuel and exhaust	1	6.7
brakes	1	6.7
reg plates and vin	1	6.7
steering and suspension	1	6.7

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 S3 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k 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 S3.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1974 (94.5% pass). Weakest: 1974 (94.5%).

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.