KAWASAKI ZR1000

999cc Petrol Class 2

#2172 of 5426 overall #250 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1342 of 2787 other bikes

86.1%

first-time pass rate

6.3%

failed outright

12,055

median miles at test

2,135

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The ZR1000's first-time pass rate has risen 8.1 points since 2007, 81.6% to 89.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZR1000's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZR1000 passes first time 88.2% of the time; by 30k that's 78.6%.

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 ZR1000

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	73	30.3	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	38	15.8	0.7×
tyres and wheels	32	13.3	0.7×
brakes	32	13.3	0.3×
reg plates and vin	21	8.7	1.4×
steering and suspension	17	7.1	0.2×
suspension	11	4.6	0.6×
drive system	6	2.5	0.4×
structure and attachments	6	2.5	0.3×
audible warning (Horn)	5	2.1	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 ZR1000 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 ZR1000.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (93.7% pass). Weakest: 2007 (76.8%).

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 ZR1000 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR1000 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR1000 is about average for its class: 86.1% of its 2,135 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2172 of 5426 models.

What does a ZR1000 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed ZR1000 tests.

What is the best year of ZR1000 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (93.7%) and 2007 worst (76.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZR1000 last?

The median ZR1000 shows 12,055 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 78.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.