KAWASAKI Z900

903cc Petrol Class 2

#1937 of 5426 overall #223 of 592 KAWASAKIs #86 of 205 naked bikes

86.9%

first-time pass rate

5.9%

failed outright

27,446

median miles at test

4,100

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2022

The Z900's first-time pass rate has risen 6.9 points since 2005, 83.1% to 90.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z900's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z900 passes first time 86.8% of the time; by 50k that's 86.1%.

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 Z900

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	237	43.7	0.9×
brakes	85	15.7	0.3×
steering and suspension	82	15.1	0.5×
tyres and wheels	47	8.7	0.5×
drive system	25	4.6	0.7×
reg plates and vin	22	4.1	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	19	3.5	0.6×
body and structure	13	2.4	0.6×
driving controls	7	1.3	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	5	0.9	—

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 Z900 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE, TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE, APRILIA TUONO).

TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 85.6% pass · 74.6k tests TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE 87.7% pass · 37.7k tests APRILIA TUONO 88.4% pass · 34.7k tests TRIUMPH TRIDENT 85.0% pass · 23.9k 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 Z900.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1971 (93.1% pass). Weakest: 1976 (85.0%).

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 Z900 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z900 reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z900 is more reliable than average for its class: 86.9% of its 4,100 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1937 of 5426 models.

What does a Z900 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 44% of all defects recorded against failed Z900 tests.

What is the best year of Z900 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1971-registered examples do best (93.1%) and 1976 worst (85.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z900 last?

The median Z900 shows 27,446 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 86.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.