KAWASAKI Z550

553cc Petrol Class 2

#4087 of 5426 overall #491 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2572 of 2787 other bikes

76.8%

first-time pass rate

16.0%

failed outright

29,735

median miles at test

1,796

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2023

The Z550's first-time pass rate has risen 15.4 points since 2005, 68.4% to 83.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z550's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z550 passes first time 79.4% of the time; by 50k that's 72.7%.

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 Z550

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	201	28.3	1.8×
brakes	165	23.2	1.5×
steering and suspension	154	21.7	1.9×
tyres and wheels	49	6.9	1.3×
body and structure	37	5.2	3.2×
fuel and exhaust	35	4.9	2.3×
drive system	26	3.7	1.5×
lamps and reflectors	20	2.8	0.4×
reg plates and vin	13	1.8	1.2×
structure and attachments	10	1.4	0.7×

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 Z550 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 Z550.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1985 (87.1% pass). Weakest: 1980 (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 Z550 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z550 reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z550 is less reliable than average for its class: 76.8% of its 1,796 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4087 of 5426 models.

What does a Z550 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed Z550 tests.

What is the best year of Z550 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1985-registered examples do best (87.1%) and 1980 worst (71.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z550 last?

The median Z550 shows 29,735 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 72.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.