KAWASAKI Z1000SX

1043cc Petrol Class 2

#1448 of 5426 overall #178 of 592 KAWASAKIs #65 of 205 naked bikes

88.5%

first-time pass rate

5.5%

failed outright

13,398

median miles at test

842

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2014–2025

The Z1000SX's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2014 (85.3% → 84.3%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z1000SX's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z1000SX passes first time 90.6% of the time; by 30k that's 83.3%.

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 Z1000SX

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	15	23.4	1.0×
tyres	14	21.9	1.9×
brakes	13	20.3	0.3×
audible warning (Horn)	5	7.8	3.2×
reg plates and vin	4	6.2	0.8×
tyres and wheels	3	4.7	0.2×
lighting and signalling	3	4.7	0.1×
structure and attachments	3	4.7	0.3×
wheels	2	3.1	2.0×
steering	2	3.1	0.6×

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 Z1000SX beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE, APRILIA TUONO, HONDA CB1300).

TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 85.6% pass · 74.6k tests APRILIA TUONO 88.4% pass · 34.7k tests HONDA CB1300 89.3% pass · 25.9k tests TRIUMPH TRIDENT 85.0% pass · 23.9k 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 Z1000SX.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2015 (89.8% pass). Weakest: 2016 (81.5%).

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 Z1000SX FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z1000SX reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z1000SX is more reliable than average for its class: 88.5% of its 842 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1448 of 5426 models.

What does a Z1000SX fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 23% of all defects recorded against failed Z1000SX tests.

What is the best year of Z1000SX to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2015-registered examples do best (89.8%) and 2016 worst (81.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z1000SX last?

The median Z1000SX shows 13,398 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 83.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.