BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ KAWASAKI/ZX 636 GKFA
Model report · 2005–2025

KAWASAKI ZX 636 GKFA

636cc Petrol Class 2
85.8%
first-time pass rate
5.1%
failed outright
5,348
median miles at test
590
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2022–2025

The ZX 636 GKFA's first-time pass rate has risen 3.7 points since 2022, 85.1% to 88.8%.

82%86%90%2022: 85.1% pass (141 tests)2023: 83.5% pass (170 tests)2024: 86.0% pass (136 tests)2025: 88.8% pass (134 tests)20222025

What fails on a ZX 636 GKFA

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
15 31.2 1.5×
tyres
9 18.8 2.0×
brakes
8 16.7 0.2×
audible warning (Horn)
7 14.6 6.5×
structure and attachments
4 8.3 1.0×
Identification of the vehicle
2 4.2 1.5×
suspension
2 4.2 0.5×
steering
1 2.1 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 636 GKFA beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

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 GKFA.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2020 (89.9% pass). Weakest: 2019 (84.7%).

84%87%91%2018: 88.1% pass (67 tests)2019: 84.7% pass (425 tests)2020: 89.9% pass (89 tests)201820192020

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 GKFA FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX 636 GKFA reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX 636 GKFA is about average for its class: 85.8% of its 590 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2264 of 5426 models.

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

lamps and reflectors — 31% of all defects recorded against failed ZX 636 GKFA tests.

What is the best year of ZX 636 GKFA to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2020-registered examples do best (89.9%) and 2019 worst (84.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.