KAWASAKI ZX 636 C1H

636cc Petrol Class 2

#3334 of 5426 overall #393 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2126 of 2787 other bikes

81.2%

first-time pass rate

10.5%

failed outright

13,356

median miles at test

5,567

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2025

The ZX 636 C1H's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.8 points since 2008, 84.5% to 79.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX 636 C1H's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX 636 C1H passes first time 86.6% of the time; by 50k that's 64.3%.

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 636 C1H

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	344	29	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	180	15.2	1.3×
brakes	157	13.2	0.5×
reg plates and vin	128	10.8	2.9×
tyres and wheels	118	9.9	0.9×
steering and suspension	116	9.8	0.6×
suspension	42	3.5	0.9×
structure and attachments	41	3.5	0.8×
drive system	31	2.6	0.6×
tyres	29	2.4	0.7×

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 636 C1H beats 2 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 636 C1H.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (81.2% pass). Weakest: 2005 (81.2%).

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 636 C1H FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX 636 C1H reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX 636 C1H is less reliable than average for its class: 81.2% of its 5,567 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3334 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX 636 C1H fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 29% of all defects recorded against failed ZX 636 C1H tests.

How many miles will a ZX 636 C1H last?

The median ZX 636 C1H shows 13,356 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 64.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.