KAWASAKI ZR 800 ADS

806cc Petrol Class 2

#2362 of 5426 overall #267 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1477 of 2787 other bikes

85.5%

first-time pass rate

7.3%

failed outright

9,978

median miles at test

1,380

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The ZR 800 ADS's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.0 points since 2016, 87.4% to 85.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZR 800 ADS's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZR 800 ADS passes first time 90.6% of the time; by 30k that's 72.1%.

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 800 ADS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	53	29.9	1.7×
brakes	30	16.9	0.4×
suspension	19	10.7	1.8×
tyres	15	8.5	1.4×
structure and attachments	15	8.5	1.4×
audible warning (Horn)	12	6.8	4.8×
tyres and wheels	11	6.2	0.3×
Identification of the vehicle	9	5.1	2.8×
lighting and signalling	9	5.1	0.1×
fuel and exhaust	4	2.3	0.3×

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 800 ADS 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 800 ADS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (85.6% pass). Weakest: 2013 (85.6%).

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 800 ADS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR 800 ADS reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR 800 ADS is about average for its class: 85.5% of its 1,380 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2362 of 5426 models.

What does a ZR 800 ADS fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 30% of all defects recorded against failed ZR 800 ADS tests.

How many miles will a ZR 800 ADS last?

The median ZR 800 ADS shows 9,978 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 72.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.