KAWASAKI ZX 600 RAF

599cc Petrol Class 2

#2593 of 5426 overall #300 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1632 of 2787 other bikes

84.6%

first-time pass rate

7.2%

failed outright

10,949

median miles at test

1,703

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2013–2025

The ZX 600 RAF's first-time pass rate has risen 2.5 points since 2013, 76.5% to 79.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX 600 RAF's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX 600 RAF passes first time 84.9% of the time; by 30k that's 78.4%.

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 600 RAF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	47	21.4	1.3×
lighting and signalling	40	18.2	0.4×
brakes	28	12.7	0.3×
tyres	27	12.3	1.8×
tyres and wheels	20	9.1	0.5×
structure and attachments	17	7.7	1.1×
reg plates and vin	13	5.9	1.0×
fuel and exhaust	11	5	0.8×
steering and suspension	9	4.1	0.2×
suspension	8	3.6	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 600 RAF beats 4 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 SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 600 RAF.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (86.4% pass). Weakest: 2010 (83.2%).

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 600 RAF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX 600 RAF reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX 600 RAF is about average for its class: 84.6% of its 1,703 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2593 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX 600 RAF fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 21% of all defects recorded against failed ZX 600 RAF tests.

What is the best year of ZX 600 RAF to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (86.4%) and 2010 worst (83.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX 600 RAF last?

The median ZX 600 RAF shows 10,949 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 78.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.