KAWASAKI ZR 800 CDS

806cc Petrol Class 2

#3666 of 5426 overall #439 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2333 of 2787 other bikes

79.6%

first-time pass rate

7.2%

failed outright

13,770

median miles at test

235

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2017

The ZR 800 CDS's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.0 points since 2016, 81.8% to 77.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ZR 800 CDS passes first time 85.3% of the time; by 20k that's 70.5%.

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 800 CDS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	13	30.2
lighting and signalling	8	18.6
structure and attachments	5	11.6
tyres and wheels	4	9.3
Identification of the vehicle	3	7
audible warning (Horn)	3	7
drive system	3	7
steering	2	4.7
tyres	1	2.3
body and structure	1	2.3

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the ZR 800 CDS 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 800 CDS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (79.3% pass). Weakest: 2013 (79.3%).

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.