KAWASAKI VN1500 E1
Pass rate over time
The VN1500 E1's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.8 points since 2010, 93.5% to 85.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VN1500 E1 passes first time 90.6% of the time; by 30k that's 83.5%.
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 E1
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
17 | 28.8 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
13 | 22 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
10 | 16.9 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
9 | 15.3 |
| suspension |
|
3 | 5.1 |
| tyres |
|
2 | 3.4 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
2 | 3.4 |
| steering |
|
1 | 1.7 |
| structure and attachments |
|
1 | 1.7 |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
1 | 1.7 |
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 VN1500 E1 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, SUZUKI GSF1200).
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 E1.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1999 (87.8% pass). Weakest: 1998 (83.7%).
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.