KAWASAKI ZEPHYR 750

738cc Petrol Class 2

#3440 of 5426 overall #407 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2196 of 2787 other bikes

80.7%

first-time pass rate

12.4%

failed outright

24,116

median miles at test

8,283

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZEPHYR 750's first-time pass rate has risen 8.1 points since 2005, 78.7% to 86.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZEPHYR 750's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZEPHYR 750 passes first time 88.3% of the time; by 50k that's 73.3%.

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 750

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	647	30	1.3×
steering and suspension	464	21.5	1.4×
lighting and signalling	406	18.8	0.9×
tyres and wheels	191	8.8	1.0×
drive system	108	5	1.5×
fuel and exhaust	98	4.5	1.4×
reg plates and vin	70	3.2	1.1×
suspension	62	2.9	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	59	2.7	0.4×
driving controls	55	2.5	2.8×

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 750 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 750.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1999 (88.7% pass). Weakest: 1991 (78.2%).

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 750 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZEPHYR 750 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZEPHYR 750 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.7% of its 8,283 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3440 of 5426 models.

What does a ZEPHYR 750 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 30% of all defects recorded against failed ZEPHYR 750 tests.

What is the best year of ZEPHYR 750 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1999-registered examples do best (88.7%) and 1991 worst (78.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZEPHYR 750 last?

The median ZEPHYR 750 shows 24,116 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 73.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.