KAWASAKI ZEPHER
Pass rate over time
The ZEPHER's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.9 points since 2006, 78.9% to 75.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage ZEPHER passes first time 87.5% of the time; by 40k that's 78.9%.
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 ZEPHER
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
53 | 31.4 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
46 | 27.2 |
| steering and suspension |
|
39 | 23.1 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
12 | 7.1 |
| drive system |
|
7 | 4.1 |
| driving controls |
|
4 | 2.4 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 2.4 |
| Items Not Tested |
|
2 | 1.2 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
1 | 0.6 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
1 | 0.6 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the ZEPHER beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 ZEPHER.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1992 (78.0% pass). Weakest: 1995 (75.7%).
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.