KAWASAKI Z1

903cc Petrol Class 2

#1448 of 5426 overall #178 of 592 KAWASAKIs #881 of 2787 other bikes

88.5%

first-time pass rate

5.0%

failed outright

24,072

median miles at test

1,447

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The Z1's first-time pass rate has risen 5.3 points since 2006, 84.4% to 89.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z1 passes first time 90.4% of the time; by 50k that's 76.3%.

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 Z1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	64	37	0.5×
brakes	41	23.7	0.4×
steering and suspension	33	19.1	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	14	8.1	1.1×
tyres and wheels	8	4.6	0.3×
reg plates and vin	5	2.9	0.6×
drive system	3	1.7	0.3×
body and structure	2	1.2	0.3×
Items Not Tested	2	1.2	1.5×
driving controls	1	0.6	0.3×

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 Z1 beats 2 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 Z1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1972 (94.7% pass). Weakest: 1976 (80.5%).

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 Z1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z1 reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z1 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.5% of its 1,447 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1448 of 5426 models.

What does a Z1 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 37% of all defects recorded against failed Z1 tests.

What is the best year of Z1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1972-registered examples do best (94.7%) and 1976 worst (80.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z1 last?

The median Z1 shows 24,072 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 76.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.