Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
KAWASAKI ZR 750 J6F
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
The ZR 750 J6F's first-time pass rate has fallen 10.5 points since 2009, 83.6% to 73.1%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage ZR 750 J6F passes first time 85.5% of the time; by 50k that's 76.5%.
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 ZR 750 J6F
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
102 | 21.1 | 0.7× |
| brakes |
|
82 | 17 | 0.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
76 | 15.7 | 1.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
58 | 12 | 1.0× |
| steering and suspension |
|
40 | 8.3 | 0.4× |
| structure and attachments |
|
33 | 6.8 | 1.6× |
| suspension |
|
30 | 6.2 | 1.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
25 | 5.2 | 1.3× |
| tyres |
|
21 | 4.3 | 1.1× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
16 | 3.3 | 3.5× |
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
On first-time pass rate the ZR 750 J6F beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 750 J6F.
Compare with any bike
More KAWASAKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2006 (81.7%). Lowest: 2005 (79.8%). Every ZR 750 J6F year compared →
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 750 J6F FAQ
Is the KAWASAKI ZR 750 J6F reliable?
The KAWASAKI ZR 750 J6F is less reliable than average for its class: 81.4% of its 2,522 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3291 of 5428 models.
What does a ZR 750 J6F fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 21% of all defects recorded against failed ZR 750 J6F tests.
What is the best year of ZR 750 J6F to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (81.7%) and 2005 worst (79.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a ZR 750 J6F last?
The median ZR 750 J6F shows 14,256 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 76.5% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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