KAWASAKI ZX

1043cc Petrol Class 2

#1145 of 5426 overall #137 of 592 KAWASAKIs #697 of 2787 other bikes

89.4%

first-time pass rate

4.8%

failed outright

11,150

median miles at test

34.6k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZX's first-time pass rate has risen 8.8 points since 2006, 80.6% to 89.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ZX passes first time 91.6% of the time; by 50k that's 83.3%.

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 ZX

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	925	32.9	1.2×
brakes	491	17.4	0.3×
tyres	429	15.2	1.6×
structure and attachments	209	7.4	0.7×
Identification of the vehicle	159	5.7	2.0×
lighting and signalling	155	5.5	0.1×
suspension	154	5.5	0.6×
steering	128	4.5	0.8×
tyres and wheels	83	2.9	0.1×
audible warning (Horn)	81	2.9	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 ZX beats 3 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 ZX.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2017 (91.9% pass). Weakest: 1989 (64.5%).

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 ZX FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX is more reliable than average for its class: 89.4% of its 34,646 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1145 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 33% of all defects recorded against failed ZX tests.

What is the best year of ZX to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (91.9%) and 1989 worst (64.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX last?

The median ZX shows 11,150 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 83.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.