BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ KAWASAKI/ZR 900 CJFA
Model report · 2005–2025

KAWASAKI ZR 900 CJFA

948cc Petrol Class 2
91.7%
first-time pass rate
2.6%
failed outright
5,204
median miles at test
530
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2021–2025

The ZR 900 CJFA's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2021 (90.8% → 91.0%).

87%93%100%2021: 90.8% pass (98 tests)2022: 89.3% pass (121 tests)2023: 97.5% pass (121 tests)2024: 89.5% pass (86 tests)2025: 91.0% pass (100 tests)20212025

What fails on a ZR 900 CJFA

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
11 39.3 0.8×
audible warning (Horn)
4 14.3 4.1×
Identification of the vehicle
3 10.7 2.5×
steering
2 7.1 0.5×
brakes
2 7.1 0.1×
suspension
2 7.1 0.3×
tyres
2 7.1 0.6×
structure and attachments
1 3.6 0.3×
wheels
1 3.6 3.1×

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 900 CJFA 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 CJFA.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2019 (95.1% pass). Weakest: 2018 (91.1%).

90%93%96%2018: 91.1% pass (462 tests)2019: 95.1% pass (61 tests)20182019

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 CJFA FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR 900 CJFA reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR 900 CJFA is more reliable than average for its class: 91.7% of its 530 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #524 of 5426 models.

What does a ZR 900 CJFA fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 39% of all defects recorded against failed ZR 900 CJFA tests.