KAWASAKI ZG1300

1286cc Petrol Class 2

#1075 of 5426 overall #131 of 592 KAWASAKIs #661 of 2787 other bikes

89.6%

first-time pass rate

4.6%

failed outright

30,775

median miles at test

869

MOT tests, 2005–2025

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%.

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%.

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	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 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 ZG1300.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1985 (94.1% pass). Weakest: 1986 (82.2%).

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 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 #1075 of 5426 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 — mileage alone rarely kills one.