KAWASAKI Z1A

903cc Petrol Class 2

#1047 of 5426 overall #126 of 592 KAWASAKIs #641 of 2787 other bikes

89.7%

first-time pass rate

3.0%

failed outright

24,528

median miles at test

428

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2017

The Z1A's first-time pass rate has risen 15.1 points since 2011, 82.4% to 97.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z1A's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z1A passes first time 89.1% of the time; by 40k that's 92.7%.

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 Z1A

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	7	28
lighting and signalling	6	24
steering and suspension	4	16
tyres and wheels	2	8
fuel and exhaust	2	8
steering	1	4
lamps and reflectors	1	4
structure and attachments	1	4
body and structure	1	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 Z1A beats 3 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 Z1A.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1975 (92.9% pass). Weakest: 1971 (80.4%).

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.