KAWASAKI W650

676cc Petrol Class 2

#1243 of 5426 overall #149 of 592 KAWASAKIs #756 of 2787 other bikes

89.1%

first-time pass rate

4.4%

failed outright

12,815

median miles at test

16.8k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The W650's first-time pass rate has risen 1.7 points since 2005, 90.7% to 92.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the W650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage W650 passes first time 91.5% of the time; by 50k that's 85.0%.

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 W650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	274	23.3	0.3×
tyres and wheels	222	18.9	0.6×
brakes	215	18.3	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	127	10.8	0.3×
steering and suspension	94	8	0.2×
reg plates and vin	70	5.9	0.6×
tyres	54	4.6	0.4×
structure and attachments	45	3.8	0.3×
drive system	44	3.7	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	32	2.7	0.2×

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 W650 beats 4 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 W650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (93.2% pass). Weakest: 2006 (87.2%).

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 W650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI W650 reliable?

The KAWASAKI W650 is more reliable than average for its class: 89.1% of its 16,796 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1243 of 5426 models.

What does a W650 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 23% of all defects recorded against failed W650 tests.

What is the best year of W650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (93.2%) and 2006 worst (87.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a W650 last?

The median W650 shows 12,815 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 85.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.