KAWASAKI Z 550-GT

553cc Petrol Class 2

79.5%

first-time pass rate

12.6%

failed outright

47,936

median miles at test

151

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a Z 550-GT

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	12	28.6
lamps and reflectors	8	19
steering and suspension	7	16.7
lighting and signalling	6	14.3
tyres and wheels	3	7.1
body and structure	2	4.8
fuel and exhaust	1	2.4
audible warning (Horn)	1	2.4
structure and attachments	1	2.4
tyres	1	2.4

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the Z 550-GT 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 SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 550-GT.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1985 (82.1% pass). Weakest: 1985 (82.1%).

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.