KAWASAKI VN2000

2053cc Petrol Class 2

#1332 of 5426 overall #165 of 592 KAWASAKIs #816 of 2787 other bikes

88.8%

first-time pass rate

6.4%

failed outright

15,704

median miles at test

1,890

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The VN2000's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2007 (90.0% → 90.4%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN2000's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN2000 passes first time 91.9% of the time; by 50k that's 88.6%.

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 VN2000

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	41	19.8	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	38	18.4	0.8×
tyres and wheels	33	15.9	0.8×
brakes	31	15	0.3×
tyres	25	12.1	1.5×
reg plates and vin	10	4.8	0.6×
Identification of the vehicle	8	3.9	1.8×
fuel and exhaust	8	3.9	0.6×
steering and suspension	8	3.9	0.1×
steering	5	2.4	0.5×

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 VN2000 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI VN1500, HONDA GL1500, HONDA F6C).

KAWASAKI VN1500 85.5% pass · 9,190 tests HONDA GL1500 86.5% pass · 9,175 tests HONDA F6C 90.4% pass · 9,153 tests HONDA GL1500SE 88.7% pass · 7,764 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 VN2000.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (91.8% pass). Weakest: 2004 (84.8%).

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 VN2000 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VN2000 reliable?

The KAWASAKI VN2000 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.8% of its 1,890 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1332 of 5426 models.

What does a VN2000 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 20% of all defects recorded against failed VN2000 tests.

What is the best year of VN2000 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (91.8%) and 2004 worst (84.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VN2000 last?

The median VN2000 shows 15,704 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 88.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.