KAWASAKI ZX-12R

1199cc Petrol Class 2

#2146 of 5426 overall #246 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1324 of 2787 other bikes

86.2%

first-time pass rate

7.8%

failed outright

19,137

median miles at test

33.7k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZX-12R's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.4 points since 2005, 88.6% to 87.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX-12R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX-12R passes first time 90.4% of the time; by 50k that's 80.9%.

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-12R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	1,284	27	0.7×
lighting and signalling	1,049	22.1	0.5×
tyres and wheels	646	13.6	0.8×
steering and suspension	633	13.3	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	377	7.9	0.5×
reg plates and vin	244	5.1	1.0×
suspension	159	3.3	0.6×
tyres	133	2.8	0.5×
drive system	118	2.5	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	113	2.4	0.4×

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-12R 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 ZX-12R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (92.7% pass). Weakest: 2000 (84.2%).

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-12R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX-12R reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX-12R is about average for its class: 86.2% of its 33,707 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2146 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX-12R fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 27% of all defects recorded against failed ZX-12R tests.

What is the best year of ZX-12R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (92.7%) and 2000 worst (84.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX-12R last?

The median ZX-12R shows 19,137 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 80.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.