KAWASAKI VN1500 D1

1470cc Petrol Class 2

#2230 of 5426 overall #253 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1380 of 2787 other bikes

85.9%

first-time pass rate

6.9%

failed outright

21,532

median miles at test

951

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2023

The VN1500 D1's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.8 points since 2006, 92.6% to 84.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN1500 D1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN1500 D1 passes first time 91.1% of the time; by 40k that's 84.1%.

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 D1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	41	33.6	0.7×
lighting and signalling	27	22.1	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	14	11.5	0.7×
tyres and wheels	11	9	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	10	8.2	1.2×
steering and suspension	6	4.9	0.2×
structure and attachments	4	3.3	0.6×
reg plates and vin	3	2.5	0.6×
tyres	3	2.5	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	3	2.5	1.4×

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 D1 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 D1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1996 (86.0% pass). Weakest: 1999 (78.0%).

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 VN1500 D1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VN1500 D1 reliable?

The KAWASAKI VN1500 D1 is about average for its class: 85.9% of its 951 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2230 of 5426 models.

What does a VN1500 D1 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 34% of all defects recorded against failed VN1500 D1 tests.

What is the best year of VN1500 D1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1996-registered examples do best (86.0%) and 1999 worst (78.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VN1500 D1 last?

The median VN1500 D1 shows 21,532 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 84.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.