KAWASAKI Z1100

1089cc Petrol Class 2

#2866 of 5426 overall #337 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1809 of 2787 other bikes

83.4%

first-time pass rate

8.8%

failed outright

31,798

median miles at test

1,805

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2023

The Z1100's first-time pass rate has risen 7.3 points since 2005, 81.3% to 88.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z1100's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z1100 passes first time 87.0% of the time; by 50k that's 79.4%.

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 Z1100

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	116	30.9	0.9×
brakes	110	29.3	1.0×
steering and suspension	50	13.3	0.8×
tyres and wheels	32	8.5	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	16	4.3	0.2×
body and structure	13	3.5	1.0×
fuel and exhaust	12	3.2	0.9×
structure and attachments	9	2.4	0.6×
reg plates and vin	9	2.4	0.9×
suspension	8	2.1	0.5×

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 Z1100 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 Z1100.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1985 (85.6% pass). Weakest: 1983 (81.4%).

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 Z1100 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z1100 reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z1100 is about average for its class: 83.4% of its 1,805 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2866 of 5426 models.

What does a Z1100 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed Z1100 tests.

What is the best year of Z1100 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1985-registered examples do best (85.6%) and 1983 worst (81.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z1100 last?

The median Z1100 shows 31,798 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 79.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.