KAWASAKI Z

900cc Petrol Class 2

#2792 of 5426 overall #328 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1762 of 2787 other bikes

83.8%

first-time pass rate

8.5%

failed outright

24,564

median miles at test

754

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2018

The Z's first-time pass rate has risen 7.6 points since 2006, 82.7% to 90.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage Z passes first time 85.7% of the time; by 40k 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 Z

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	38	26.6	0.8×
brakes	35	24.5	0.9×
steering and suspension	31	21.7	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	9	6.3	0.3×
drive system	8	5.6	1.3×
tyres and wheels	7	4.9	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	6	4.2	0.7×
reg plates and vin	5	3.5	1.2×
body and structure	2	1.4	0.6×
suspension	2	1.4	0.4×

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 Z beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 Z.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1980 (89.5% pass). Weakest: 1977 (74.5%).

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 Z FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z is about average for its class: 83.8% of its 754 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2792 of 5426 models.

What does a Z fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 27% of all defects recorded against failed Z tests.

What is the best year of Z to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1980-registered examples do best (89.5%) and 1977 worst (74.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z last?

The median Z shows 24,564 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 88.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.