KAWASAKI Z650

652cc Petrol Class 2

#3253 of 5426 overall #381 of 592 KAWASAKIs #150 of 205 naked bikes

81.6%

first-time pass rate

9.2%

failed outright

32,631

median miles at test

7,430

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The Z650's first-time pass rate has risen 8.8 points since 2005, 80.9% to 89.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z650 passes first time 83.8% of the time; by 50k that's 79.5%.

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 Z650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	638	36.6	1.2×
brakes	335	19.2	0.7×
steering and suspension	312	17.9	1.0×
tyres and wheels	117	6.7	0.7×
drive system	82	4.7	1.2×
fuel and exhaust	77	4.4	1.2×
body and structure	64	3.7	1.5×
reg plates and vin	58	3.3	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	35	2	0.2×
structure and attachments	23	1.3	0.3×

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 Z650 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (HONDA CB500, TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE, HONDA CB600 HORNET).

HONDA CB500 83.3% pass · 105k tests TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE 87.7% pass · 37.7k tests HONDA CB600 HORNET 78.6% pass · 26.4k tests TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE R 87.7% pass · 20.6k 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 Z650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1983 (85.6% pass). Weakest: 1985 (76.1%).

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 Z650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z650 reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z650 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.6% of its 7,430 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3253 of 5426 models.

What does a Z650 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 37% of all defects recorded against failed Z650 tests.

What is the best year of Z650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1983-registered examples do best (85.6%) and 1985 worst (76.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z650 last?

The median Z650 shows 32,631 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 79.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.