KAWASAKI VERSYS

650cc Petrol Class 2

#2491 of 5426 overall #287 of 592 KAWASAKIs #88 of 99 adventure bikes

85.0%

first-time pass rate

7.4%

failed outright

16,918

median miles at test

1,676

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2025

The VERSYS's first-time pass rate has risen 4.4 points since 2010, 81.8% to 86.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VERSYS's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VERSYS passes first time 90.3% of the time; by 40k that's 83.9%.

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 VERSYS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	56	23	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	40	16.4	1.1×
tyres and wheels	38	15.6	0.9×
lighting and signalling	25	10.2	0.3×
structure and attachments	22	9	1.6×
tyres	16	6.6	1.2×
steering and suspension	15	6.1	0.3×
suspension	14	5.7	1.0×
drive system	12	4.9	0.9×
steering	6	2.5	0.9×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the VERSYS beats 0 of its 2 closest rivals (TRIUMPH TIGER 800, YAMAHA XT 660 Z TENERE).

TRIUMPH TIGER 800 91.6% pass · 6,797 tests YAMAHA XT 660 Z TENERE 87.4% pass · 5,654 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 VERSYS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (88.8% pass). Weakest: 2006 (74.0%).

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 VERSYS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VERSYS reliable?

The KAWASAKI VERSYS is about average for its class: 85.0% of its 1,676 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2491 of 5426 models.

What does a VERSYS fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 23% of all defects recorded against failed VERSYS tests.

What is the best year of VERSYS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (88.8%) and 2006 worst (74.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VERSYS last?

The median VERSYS shows 16,918 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 83.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.