KAWASAKI ZG1400

1352cc Petrol Class 2

#746 of 5426 overall #85 of 592 KAWASAKIs #456 of 2787 other bikes

90.7%

first-time pass rate

4.4%

failed outright

21,472

median miles at test

722

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2012–2025

The ZG1400's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2012 (92.7% → 91.7%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZG1400's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZG1400 passes first time 95.7% of the time; by 50k that's 79.5%.

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 ZG1400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	20	41.7	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	6	12.5	0.4×
suspension	6	12.5	0.9×
tyres and wheels	5	10.4	0.3×
lighting and signalling	3	6.2	0.1×
steering and suspension	2	4.2	0.1×
tyres	2	4.2	0.4×
audible warning (Horn)	2	4.2	1.5×
Identification of the vehicle	1	2.1	0.6×
driving controls	1	2.1	0.6×

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 ZG1400 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 ZG1400.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (95.2% pass). Weakest: 2007 (88.3%).

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 ZG1400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZG1400 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZG1400 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.7% of its 722 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #746 of 5426 models.

What does a ZG1400 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 42% of all defects recorded against failed ZG1400 tests.

What is the best year of ZG1400 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (95.2%) and 2007 worst (88.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZG1400 last?

The median ZG1400 shows 21,472 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 79.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.