KAWASAKI Z200

198cc Petrol Class 1

#3666 of 5426 overall #439 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2333 of 2787 other bikes

79.6%

first-time pass rate

10.2%

failed outright

18,862

median miles at test

1,240

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2019

The Z200's first-time pass rate has risen 4.0 points since 2006, 81.4% to 85.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z200's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage Z200 passes first time 84.3% of the time; by 40k that's 81.1%.

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 Z200

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	101	29.9	1.3×
steering and suspension	85	25.1	1.5×
brakes	49	14.5	0.8×
tyres and wheels	34	10.1	1.1×
drive system	29	8.6	2.3×
fuel and exhaust	16	4.7	1.7×
body and structure	9	2.7	1.3×
reg plates and vin	8	2.4	1.0×
structure and attachments	5	1.5	0.2×
lamps and reflectors	2	0.6	0.1×

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 Z200 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 Z200.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1978 (86.1% pass). Weakest: 1982 (71.4%).

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 Z200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z200 reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z200 is more reliable than average for its class: 79.6% of its 1,240 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3666 of 5426 models.

What does a Z200 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed Z200 tests.

What is the best year of Z200 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1978-registered examples do best (86.1%) and 1982 worst (71.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z200 last?

The median Z200 shows 18,862 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 81.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.