KAWASAKI Z1R

1015cc Petrol Class 2

#1541 of 5426 overall #189 of 592 KAWASAKIs #936 of 2787 other bikes

88.2%

first-time pass rate

3.3%

failed outright

39,130

median miles at test

306

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z1R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z1R passes first time 85.7% of the time; by 50k 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 Z1R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	12	36.4
brakes	9	27.3
body and structure	3	9.1
reg plates and vin	3	9.1
steering and suspension	3	9.1
fuel and exhaust	2	6.1
tyres and wheels	1	3

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 Z1R 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 Z1R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1978 (89.7% pass). Weakest: 1979 (84.1%).

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.