KAWASAKI Z400

398cc Petrol Class 2

#3477 of 5426 overall #414 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2218 of 2787 other bikes

80.5%

first-time pass rate

11.4%

failed outright

25,987

median miles at test

781

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2018

The Z400's first-time pass rate has risen 2.6 points since 2006, 78.7% to 81.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z400's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z400 passes first time 86.0% of the time; by 50k that's 71.4%.

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 Z400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	67	26.6	1.3×
steering and suspension	56	22.2	1.3×
brakes	52	20.6	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	18	7.1	0.7×
drive system	18	7.1	2.3×
tyres and wheels	14	5.6	0.8×
structure and attachments	8	3.2	1.1×
fuel and exhaust	7	2.8	1.0×
driving controls	6	2.4	3.3×
body and structure	6	2.4	1.3×

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 Z400 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k 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 Z400.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1981 (90.4% pass). Weakest: 1978 (73.1%).

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.

KAWASAKI Z400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z400 reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z400 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.5% of its 781 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3477 of 5426 models.

What does a Z400 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 27% of all defects recorded against failed Z400 tests.

What is the best year of Z400 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1981-registered examples do best (90.4%) and 1978 worst (73.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z400 last?

The median Z400 shows 25,987 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 71.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.