KAWASAKI ZR

806cc Petrol Class 2

#1962 of 5426 overall #227 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1190 of 2787 other bikes

86.8%

first-time pass rate

6.3%

failed outright

9,194

median miles at test

12.6k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2025

The ZR's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2008 (87.1% → 87.4%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ZR passes first time 89.9% of the time; by 50k that's 83.9%.

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 ZR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	490	34.9	1.7×
tyres	171	12.2	1.7×
brakes	171	12.2	0.3×
structure and attachments	120	8.5	1.2×
lighting and signalling	117	8.3	0.2×
Identification of the vehicle	103	7.3	3.5×
suspension	87	6.2	0.9×
audible warning (Horn)	61	4.3	2.6×
tyres and wheels	51	3.6	0.2×
steering and suspension	34	2.4	0.1×

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 ZR beats 4 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 ZR.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2017 (89.1% pass). Weakest: 2004 (66.2%).

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 ZR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR is about average for its class: 86.8% of its 12,586 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1962 of 5426 models.

What does a ZR fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 35% of all defects recorded against failed ZR tests.

What is the best year of ZR to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (89.1%) and 2004 worst (66.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZR last?

The median ZR shows 9,194 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 83.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.