KAWASAKI ZR750

749cc Petrol Class 2

#3318 of 5426 overall #388 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2114 of 2787 other bikes

81.3%

first-time pass rate

9.3%

failed outright

15,127

median miles at test

2,858

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The ZR750's first-time pass rate has risen 2.4 points since 2006, 76.5% to 78.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZR750's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZR750 passes first time 86.5% of the time; by 50k that's 73.7%.

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 ZR750

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	114	23.7	0.6×
brakes	93	19.3	0.7×
tyres and wheels	78	16.2	1.2×
steering and suspension	48	10	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	47	9.8	0.8×
structure and attachments	25	5.2	1.0×
drive system	24	5	1.1×
tyres	22	4.6	0.8×
reg plates and vin	16	3.3	0.9×
suspension	14	2.9	0.6×

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 ZR750 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 ZR750.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1991 (90.0% pass). Weakest: 2004 (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.

KAWASAKI ZR750 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR750 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR750 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.3% of its 2,858 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3318 of 5426 models.

What does a ZR750 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 24% of all defects recorded against failed ZR750 tests.

What is the best year of ZR750 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1991-registered examples do best (90.0%) and 2005 worst (79.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZR750 last?

The median ZR750 shows 15,127 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 73.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.