KAWASAKI ZX-9R

899cc Petrol Class 2

#3440 of 5426 overall #407 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2196 of 2787 other bikes

KAWASAKI ZX-9R — Photo: PekePON · CC BY-SA 3.0

80.7%

first-time pass rate

12.0%

failed outright

22,320

median miles at test

89.0k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZX-9R's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.9 points since 2005, 85.9% to 82.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX-9R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX-9R passes first time 88.6% of the time; by 50k that's 74.9%.

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-9R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	5,866	26.1	1.1×
lighting and signalling	5,223	23.3	0.9×
steering and suspension	3,599	16	1.1×
tyres and wheels	2,466	11	1.2×
lamps and reflectors	1,474	6.6	0.7×
reg plates and vin	1,245	5.5	1.9×
drive system	685	3.1	0.9×
suspension	667	3	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	641	2.9	0.9×
body and structure	583	2.6	1.2×

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-9R beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT, SUZUKI GSF1200).

BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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-9R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (85.8% pass). Weakest: 1971 (75.0%).

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-9R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX-9R reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX-9R is less reliable than average for its class: 80.7% of its 88,973 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3440 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX-9R fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 26% of all defects recorded against failed ZX-9R tests.

What is the best year of ZX-9R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (85.8%) and 1971 worst (75.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX-9R last?

The median ZX-9R shows 22,320 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 74.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.