KAWASAKI SR650
Pass rate over time
The SR650's first-time pass rate has fallen 18.6 points since 2006, 83.3% to 64.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage SR650 passes first time 89.5% of the time; by 40k that's 75.6%.
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 SR650
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
32 | 31.1 |
| brakes |
|
23 | 22.3 |
| steering and suspension |
|
20 | 19.4 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
11 | 10.7 |
| body and structure |
|
5 | 4.9 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 3.9 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
4 | 3.9 |
| drive system |
|
2 | 1.9 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
1 | 1 |
| structure and attachments |
|
1 | 1 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the SR650 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 SR650.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1980 (84.8% pass). Weakest: 1979 (81.9%).
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.