KAWASAKI Z750

748cc Petrol Class 2

#3334 of 5426 overall #393 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2126 of 2787 other bikes

81.2%

first-time pass rate

9.9%

failed outright

15,636

median miles at test

12.4k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The Z750's first-time pass rate has risen 11.6 points since 2005, 72.5% to 84.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z750's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z750 passes first time 86.0% of the time; by 50k that's 72.4%.

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 Z750

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	737	27.4	0.9×
brakes	618	23	0.8×
steering and suspension	376	14	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	254	9.5	0.9×
tyres and wheels	241	9	0.8×
reg plates and vin	112	4.2	1.3×
structure and attachments	93	3.5	0.9×
drive system	89	3.3	0.7×
suspension	87	3.2	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	80	3	0.8×

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 Z750 beats 2 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 TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 Z750.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (88.7% pass). Weakest: 1981 (72.6%).

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 Z750 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z750 reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z750 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.2% of its 12,424 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3334 of 5426 models.

What does a Z750 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 27% of all defects recorded against failed Z750 tests.

What is the best year of Z750 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (88.7%) and 1981 worst (72.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z750 last?

The median Z750 shows 15,636 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 72.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.