Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
KAWASAKI Z440
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The Z440's first-time pass rate has risen 17.5 points since 2006, 79.7% to 97.2%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage Z440 passes first time 79.8% of the time; by 40k that's 76.9%.
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 Z440
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| steering and suspension |
|
54 | 24.1 | 1.5× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
53 | 23.7 | 1.2× |
| brakes |
|
37 | 16.5 | 1.0× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
20 | 8.9 | 1.1× |
| drive system |
|
18 | 8 | 2.6× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
14 | 6.2 | 2.1× |
| body and structure |
|
10 | 4.5 | 2.5× |
| suspension |
|
7 | 3.1 | 0.9× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
6 | 2.7 | 0.3× |
| structure and attachments |
|
5 | 2.2 | 0.6× |
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
On first-time pass rate the Z440 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, YAMAHA XV535, SUZUKI GS500).
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 Z440.
Compare with any bike
More KAWASAKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1985 (85.3%). Lowest: 1982 (74.8%). Every Z440 year compared →
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 Z440 FAQ
Is the KAWASAKI Z440 reliable?
The KAWASAKI Z440 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.9% of its 760 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3398 of 5428 models.
What does a Z440 fail its MOT on most?
steering and suspension: 24% of all defects recorded against failed Z440 tests.
What is the best year of Z440 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1985-registered examples do best (85.3%) and 1982 worst (74.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a Z440 last?
The median Z440 shows 27,383 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 76.9% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
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