KAWASAKI VN1500

1470cc Petrol Class 2

#2362 of 5426 overall #267 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1477 of 2787 other bikes

85.5%

first-time pass rate

8.0%

failed outright

17,546

median miles at test

9,190

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The VN1500's first-time pass rate has risen 2.0 points since 2005, 81.8% to 83.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN1500's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN1500 passes first time 88.9% of the time; by 50k 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 VN1500

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	369	26	0.7×
lighting and signalling	310	21.8	0.6×
tyres and wheels	184	12.9	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	182	12.8	0.8×
steering and suspension	92	6.5	0.3×
reg plates and vin	85	6	1.3×
fuel and exhaust	82	5.8	1.1×
tyres	53	3.7	0.8×
structure and attachments	33	2.3	0.4×
steering	31	2.2	0.8×

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 VN1500 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, SUZUKI GSF1200).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests YAMAHA XJR1300 87.4% pass · 95.1k 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 VN1500.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (89.8% pass). Weakest: 1988 (79.7%).

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 VN1500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VN1500 reliable?

The KAWASAKI VN1500 is about average for its class: 85.5% of its 9,190 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2362 of 5426 models.

What does a VN1500 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 26% of all defects recorded against failed VN1500 tests.

What is the best year of VN1500 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (89.8%) and 1990 worst (79.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VN1500 last?

The median VN1500 shows 17,546 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 83.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.