Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
KAWASAKI ZR 900 BJF
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 900 BJF's first-time pass rate has risen 3.5 points since 2021, 87.5% to 91.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage ZR 900 BJF passes first time 91.3% of the time; by 20k that's 90.2%.
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 900 BJF
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
29 | 32.2 | 1.1× |
| tyres |
|
22 | 24.4 | 1.6× |
| brakes |
|
12 | 13.3 | 0.1× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
11 | 12.2 | 3.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
8 | 8.9 | 0.8× |
| steering |
|
5 | 5.6 | 0.8× |
| suspension |
|
3 | 3.3 | 0.2× |
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 900 BJF beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).
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 900 BJF.
Compare with any bike
More KAWASAKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2017 (93.9%). Lowest: 2019 (89.1%). Every ZR 900 BJF 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 900 BJF FAQ
Is the KAWASAKI ZR 900 BJF reliable?
The KAWASAKI ZR 900 BJF is more reliable than average for its class: 90.4% of its 1,517 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #825 of 5428 models.
What does a ZR 900 BJF fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 32% of all defects recorded against failed ZR 900 BJF tests.
What is the best year of ZR 900 BJF to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (93.9%) and 2019 worst (89.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a ZR 900 BJF last?
The median ZR 900 BJF shows 6,219 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 90.2% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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