KAWASAKI Z1B

903cc Petrol Class 2

#618 of 5426 overall #71 of 592 KAWASAKIs #376 of 2787 other bikes

91.3%

first-time pass rate

3.4%

failed outright

27,658

median miles at test

641

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The Z1B's first-time pass rate has risen 3.4 points since 2006, 88.0% to 91.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z1B's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z1B passes first time 92.1% of the time; by 50k that's 100.0%.

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 Z1B

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	20	32.3	0.6×
steering and suspension	15	24.2	0.5×
brakes	11	17.7	0.3×
reg plates and vin	6	9.7	0.8×
drive system	3	4.8	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	3	4.8	0.4×
tyres and wheels	2	3.2	0.2×
driving controls	1	1.6	0.7×
body and structure	1	1.6	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 Z1B 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 Z1B.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1975 (91.6% pass). Weakest: 1975 (91.6%).

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 Z1B FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z1B reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z1B is more reliable than average for its class: 91.3% of its 641 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #618 of 5426 models.

What does a Z1B fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed Z1B tests.

How many miles will a Z1B last?

The median Z1B shows 27,658 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 100.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.