KAWASAKI ZX-6RR

599cc Petrol Class 2

#3073 of 5426 overall #363 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1951 of 2787 other bikes

82.5%

first-time pass rate

9.5%

failed outright

10,714

median miles at test

3,362

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZX-6RR's first-time pass rate has risen 1.9 points since 2007, 80.6% to 82.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX-6RR's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX-6RR passes first time 86.4% of the time; by 40k that's 80.6%.

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-6RR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	160	25.2	0.8×
brakes	112	17.6	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	107	16.9	1.2×
tyres and wheels	63	9.9	0.8×
steering and suspension	51	8	0.4×
reg plates and vin	46	7.2	1.9×
tyres	32	5	1.1×
structure and attachments	26	4.1	1.0×
suspension	22	3.5	0.8×
Identification of the vehicle	16	2.5	2.1×

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-6RR beats 3 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-6RR.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (87.8% pass). Weakest: 2005 (75.5%).

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-6RR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX-6RR reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX-6RR is less reliable than average for its class: 82.5% of its 3,362 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3073 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX-6RR fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 25% of all defects recorded against failed ZX-6RR tests.

What is the best year of ZX-6RR to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (87.8%) and 2005 worst (75.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX-6RR last?

The median ZX-6RR shows 10,714 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 80.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.