KAWASAKI ZR-7

738cc Petrol Class 2

#3647 of 5426 overall #435 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2324 of 2787 other bikes

79.7%

first-time pass rate

12.2%

failed outright

18,188

median miles at test

13.3k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The ZR-7's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.9 points since 2005, 87.8% to 77.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZR-7's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZR-7 passes first time 86.8% of the time; by 50k that's 69.2%.

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-7

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	1,075	31.8	1.4×
lighting and signalling	742	21.9	1.0×
steering and suspension	416	12.3	0.8×
tyres and wheels	389	11.5	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	223	6.6	0.7×
drive system	184	5.4	1.5×
tyres	90	2.7	0.8×
suspension	89	2.6	0.8×
structure and attachments	88	2.6	0.8×
driving controls	88	2.6	2.8×

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-7 beats 2 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-7.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (87.7% pass). Weakest: 1999 (77.0%).

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-7 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR-7 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR-7 is less reliable than average for its class: 79.7% of its 13,340 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3647 of 5426 models.

What does a ZR-7 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 32% of all defects recorded against failed ZR-7 tests.

What is the best year of ZR-7 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (87.7%) and 1999 worst (77.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZR-7 last?

The median ZR-7 shows 18,188 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 69.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.