BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KAWASAKI/ZG1300
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KAWASAKI ZG1300

1286cc Petrol Class 2
#1077 of 5428 overall #131 of 592 KAWASAKIs #662 of 2788 other bikes
89.6%
first-time pass rate
4.6%
failed outright
30,775
median miles at test
869
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+6.8pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The ZG1300's first-time pass rate has risen 6.0 points since 2006, 90.7% to 96.7%.

69%84%100%2006: 90.7% pass (54 tests)2007: 90.9% pass (55 tests)2008: 96.2% pass (52 tests)2009: 90.7% pass (54 tests)2010: 90.7% pass (54 tests)2011: 74.5% pass (55 tests)2012: 86.4% pass (44 tests)2013: 80.9% pass (47 tests)2014: 88.7% pass (53 tests)2015: 89.8% pass (49 tests)2016: 93.3% pass (45 tests)2017: 88.1% pass (42 tests)2018: 93.9% pass (33 tests)2019: 91.7% pass (36 tests)2021: 83.8% pass (37 tests)2022: 93.9% pass (33 tests)2023: 94.1% pass (34 tests)2025: 96.7% pass (30 tests)20062025

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZG1300's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZG1300 passes first time 95.0% of the time; by 50k that's 87.5%.

86%91%97%0k: 95.0% pass (40 tests)10k: 87.2% pass (149 tests)20k: 91.9% pass (221 tests)30k: 89.4% pass (198 tests)40k: 89.5% pass (143 tests)50k: 87.5% pass (56 tests)0k30k50k

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 ZG1300

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
brakes
32 35.6 0.6×
lighting and signalling
27 30 0.5×
steering and suspension
12 13.3 0.3×
reg plates and vin
5 5.6 0.8×
tyres and wheels
4 4.4 0.2×
fuel and exhaust
3 3.3 0.5×
lamps and reflectors
2 2.2 0.1×
driving controls
2 2.2 1.0×
Items Not Tested
2 2.2 2.5×
body and structure
1 1.1 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 ZG1300 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests Compare head-to-head →
BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests Compare head-to-head →
TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests Compare head-to-head →

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 ZG1300.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the ZG1300

More KAWASAKI models

other KAWASAKI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests
KAWASAKI ZX-9R 80.7% pass · 89.0k tests
KAWASAKI ZZR600 79.0% pass · 53.7k tests
KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests
KAWASAKI ZZ-R1100 80.8% pass · 39.7k tests
KAWASAKI ZX 89.4% pass · 34.6k tests

See all KAWASAKI models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 1985 (94.1%). Lowest: 1986 (82.2%). Every ZG1300 year compared →

80%88%96%1984: 88.3% pass (179 tests)1985: 94.1% pass (205 tests)1986: 82.2% pass (107 tests)1987: 89.6% pass (77 tests)1988: 89.1% pass (138 tests)1989: 86.8% pass (53 tests)198419871989

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 ZG1300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZG1300 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZG1300 is more reliable than average for its class: 89.6% of its 869 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1077 of 5428 models.

What does a ZG1300 fail its MOT on most?

brakes: 36% of all defects recorded against failed ZG1300 tests.

What is the best year of ZG1300 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1985-registered examples do best (94.1%) and 1986 worst (82.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZG1300 last?

The median ZG1300 shows 30,775 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 87.5% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.

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