KAWASAKI ZX-10R

998cc Petrol Class 2

#2515 of 5426 overall #292 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1579 of 2787 other bikes

84.9%

first-time pass rate

7.4%

failed outright

13,364

median miles at test

19.9k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZX-10R's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2007 (87.1% → 87.4%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ZX-10R passes first time 87.8% of the time; by 50k that's 81.9%.

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-10R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	646	23.3	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	445	16.1	0.9×
brakes	412	14.9	0.4×
tyres and wheels	292	10.5	0.7×
reg plates and vin	263	9.5	1.7×
steering and suspension	232	8.4	0.3×
tyres	138	5	0.9×
suspension	127	4.6	0.7×
structure and attachments	110	4	0.7×
Identification of the vehicle	104	3.8	2.2×

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-10R beats 1 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-10R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2014 (90.6% pass). Weakest: 2016 (82.5%).

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-10R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX-10R reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX-10R is about average for its class: 84.9% of its 19,876 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2515 of 5426 models.

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

lighting and signalling — 23% of all defects recorded against failed ZX-10R tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2014-registered examples do best (90.6%) and 2016 worst (82.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX-10R last?

The median ZX-10R shows 13,364 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 81.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.