KAWASAKI VN750

749cc Petrol Class 2

#3805 of 5426 overall #451 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2415 of 2787 other bikes

78.8%

first-time pass rate

11.6%

failed outright

19,480

median miles at test

2,728

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The VN750's first-time pass rate has risen 13.1 points since 2005, 75.6% to 88.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN750's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN750 passes first time 85.4% of the time; by 50k that's 82.1%.

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 VN750

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	157	23.8	0.9×
brakes	135	20.4	0.8×
steering and suspension	90	13.6	0.9×
tyres and wheels	72	10.9	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	63	9.5	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	51	7.7	2.2×
structure and attachments	29	4.4	1.3×
reg plates and vin	28	4.2	1.7×
suspension	19	2.9	0.9×
tyres	17	2.6	0.7×

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 VN750 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 VN750.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1990 (80.5% pass). Weakest: 1985 (69.0%).

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 VN750 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VN750 reliable?

The KAWASAKI VN750 is less reliable than average for its class: 78.8% of its 2,728 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3805 of 5426 models.

What does a VN750 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 24% of all defects recorded against failed VN750 tests.

What is the best year of VN750 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1990-registered examples do best (80.5%) and 1985 worst (69.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VN750 last?

The median VN750 shows 19,480 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 82.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.