KAWASAKI ZEPHYR

738cc Petrol Class 2

#3531 of 5426 overall #419 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2246 of 2787 other bikes

80.2%

first-time pass rate

11.3%

failed outright

26,647

median miles at test

1,242

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2023

The ZEPHYR's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.5 points since 2006, 81.9% to 77.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ZEPHYR passes first time 89.0% of the time; by 50k that's 83.8%.

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 ZEPHYR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	87	29	1.3×
steering and suspension	59	19.7	1.3×
lighting and signalling	52	17.3	0.8×
tyres and wheels	28	9.3	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	17	5.7	0.6×
drive system	16	5.3	1.2×
fuel and exhaust	14	4.7	1.4×
driving controls	10	3.3	3.4×
reg plates and vin	9	3	1.0×
structure and attachments	8	2.7	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 ZEPHYR 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 ZEPHYR.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1996 (87.1% pass). Weakest: 1991 (78.8%).

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 ZEPHYR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZEPHYR reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZEPHYR is less reliable than average for its class: 80.2% of its 1,242 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3531 of 5426 models.

What does a ZEPHYR fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 29% of all defects recorded against failed ZEPHYR tests.

What is the best year of ZEPHYR to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1996-registered examples do best (87.1%) and 1991 worst (78.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZEPHYR last?

The median ZEPHYR shows 26,647 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 83.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.