KAWASAKI ZR-7S

738cc Petrol Class 2

#2820 of 5426 overall #333 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1779 of 2787 other bikes

83.7%

first-time pass rate

10.3%

failed outright

17,575

median miles at test

3,879

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The ZR-7S's first-time pass rate has fallen 8.7 points since 2006, 93.4% to 84.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ZR-7S passes first time 91.7% of the time; by 50k that's 70.6%.

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-7S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	193	25.7	0.9×
lighting and signalling	139	18.5	0.6×
tyres and wheels	99	13.2	1.2×
steering and suspension	87	11.6	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	62	8.2	0.8×
drive system	51	6.8	1.4×
suspension	40	5.3	1.3×
tyres	34	4.5	1.0×
structure and attachments	28	3.7	0.8×
driving controls	19	2.5	2.1×

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-7S beats 3 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-7S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (88.8% pass). Weakest: 2001 (82.1%).

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-7S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR-7S reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR-7S is about average for its class: 83.7% of its 3,879 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2820 of 5426 models.

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

brakes — 26% of all defects recorded against failed ZR-7S tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (88.8%) and 2001 worst (82.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZR-7S last?

The median ZR-7S shows 17,575 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 70.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.