KAWASAKI Z1300

1286cc Petrol Class 2

#1937 of 5426 overall #223 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1173 of 2787 other bikes

86.9%

first-time pass rate

6.5%

failed outright

31,165

median miles at test

1,462

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2021

The Z1300's first-time pass rate has risen 2.7 points since 2006, 84.8% to 87.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z1300's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z1300 passes first time 87.0% of the time; by 50k that's 88.2%.

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 Z1300

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	82	35.3	0.8×
brakes	54	23.3	0.7×
steering and suspension	37	15.9	0.6×
tyres and wheels	15	6.5	0.4×
reg plates and vin	14	6	1.3×
fuel and exhaust	10	4.3	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	7	3	0.2×
body and structure	6	2.6	0.6×
suspension	4	1.7	0.3×
tyres	3	1.3	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 Z1300 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 Z1300.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1984 (92.6% pass). Weakest: 1979 (83.9%).

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 Z1300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z1300 reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z1300 is more reliable than average for its class: 86.9% of its 1,462 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1937 of 5426 models.

What does a Z1300 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 35% of all defects recorded against failed Z1300 tests.

What is the best year of Z1300 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1984-registered examples do best (92.6%) and 1979 worst (83.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z1300 last?

The median Z1300 shows 31,165 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 88.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.