KAWASAKI ZX-10

997cc Petrol Class 2

#3719 of 5426 overall #446 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2366 of 2787 other bikes

79.3%

first-time pass rate

13.5%

failed outright

32,166

median miles at test

8,561

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The ZX-10's first-time pass rate has risen 12.7 points since 2005, 75.4% to 88.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX-10's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX-10 passes first time 82.7% of the time; by 50k that's 75.1%.

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-10

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	910	31.9	1.6×
lighting and signalling	653	22.9	1.3×
steering and suspension	504	17.7	1.5×
tyres and wheels	254	8.9	1.3×
reg plates and vin	135	4.7	2.2×
drive system	126	4.4	1.7×
fuel and exhaust	96	3.4	1.4×
lamps and reflectors	65	2.3	0.3×
body and structure	65	2.3	1.3×
suspension	47	1.6	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 ZX-10 beats 0 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-10.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (92.0% pass). Weakest: 1990 (77.0%).

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-10 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX-10 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX-10 is less reliable than average for its class: 79.3% of its 8,561 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3719 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX-10 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 32% of all defects recorded against failed ZX-10 tests.

What is the best year of ZX-10 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (92.0%) and 1990 worst (77.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX-10 last?

The median ZX-10 shows 32,166 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.