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

KAWASAKI ZR 900 EJF CAFE

948cc Petrol Class 2
93.1%
first-time pass rate
1.9%
failed outright
4,650
median miles at test
1,238
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZR 900 EJF CAFE's first-time pass rate has risen 1.3 points since 2021, 92.9% to 94.2%.

90%93%95%2021: 92.9% pass (156 tests)2022: 91.1% pass (270 tests)2023: 93.5% pass (308 tests)2024: 93.8% pass (242 tests)2025: 94.2% pass (258 tests)20212025

What fails on a ZR 900 EJF CAFE

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
11 34.4 0.5×
tyres
6 18.8 0.7×
audible warning (Horn)
4 12.5 1.8×
brakes
4 12.5 0.1×
Identification of the vehicle
4 12.5 1.4×
structure and attachments
2 6.2 0.2×
wheels
1 3.1 1.3×

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 900 EJF CAFE beats 4 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 EJF CAFE.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2019 (94.0% pass). Weakest: 2020 (90.9%).

90%92%95%2018: 93.0% pass (711 tests)2019: 94.0% pass (417 tests)2020: 90.9% pass (110 tests)201820192020

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 EJF CAFE FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR 900 EJF CAFE reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR 900 EJF CAFE is more reliable than average for its class: 93.1% of its 1,238 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #278 of 5426 models.

What does a ZR 900 EJF CAFE fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 34% of all defects recorded against failed ZR 900 EJF CAFE tests.

What is the best year of ZR 900 EJF CAFE to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2019-registered examples do best (94.0%) and 2020 worst (90.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.