KAWASAKI VN1500 P1H

1471cc Petrol Class 2

#2658 of 5426 overall #305 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1672 of 2787 other bikes

84.3%

first-time pass rate

8.0%

failed outright

14,466

median miles at test

3,312

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The VN1500 P1H's first-time pass rate has fallen 12.8 points since 2006, 91.2% to 78.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN1500 P1H's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN1500 P1H passes first time 87.7% of the time; by 50k that's 71.4%.

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 P1H

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	109	21	0.5×
brakes	100	19.3	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	71	13.7	0.8×
tyres and wheels	64	12.3	0.9×
reg plates and vin	42	8.1	1.6×
steering and suspension	41	7.9	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	33	6.4	1.3×
tyres	26	5	0.9×
Identification of the vehicle	17	3.3	2.2×
suspension	16	3.1	0.6×

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 P1H 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 P1H.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (87.9% pass). Weakest: 2003 (82.8%).

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 P1H FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VN1500 P1H reliable?

The KAWASAKI VN1500 P1H is about average for its class: 84.3% of its 3,312 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2658 of 5426 models.

What does a VN1500 P1H fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 21% of all defects recorded against failed VN1500 P1H tests.

What is the best year of VN1500 P1H to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (87.9%) and 2003 worst (82.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VN1500 P1H last?

The median VN1500 P1H shows 14,466 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 71.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.