KAWASAKI ZG

1352cc Petrol Class 2

#414 of 5426 overall #48 of 592 KAWASAKIs #256 of 2787 other bikes

92.3%

first-time pass rate

3.7%

failed outright

16,320

median miles at test

2,405

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The ZG's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.6 points since 2017, 94.1% to 92.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ZG passes first time 95.6% of the time; by 50k that's 76.1%.

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 ZG

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	45	36.6	0.4×
tyres	28	22.8	1.6×
lamps and reflectors	20	16.3	0.4×
suspension	16	13	0.9×
audible warning (Horn)	4	3.3	0.9×
steering	4	3.3	0.3×
wheels	2	1.6	0.7×
tyres and wheels	2	1.6	—
lighting and signalling	1	0.8	—
Identification of the vehicle	1	0.8	0.2×

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 ZG beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 ZG.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2018 (96.2% pass). Weakest: 2015 (91.3%).

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 ZG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZG reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZG is more reliable than average for its class: 92.3% of its 2,405 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #414 of 5426 models.

What does a ZG fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 37% of all defects recorded against failed ZG tests.

What is the best year of ZG to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2018-registered examples do best (96.2%) and 2015 worst (91.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZG last?

The median ZG shows 16,320 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 76.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.