KAWASAKI ZX1000

1000cc Petrol Class 2

#2658 of 5426 overall #305 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1672 of 2787 other bikes

84.3%

first-time pass rate

7.8%

failed outright

13,000

median miles at test

1,309

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2009–2025

The ZX1000's first-time pass rate has risen 11.3 points since 2009, 78.8% to 90.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX1000's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX1000 passes first time 87.3% of the time; by 30k that's 81.7%.

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 ZX1000

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	52	28.3	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	26	14.1	1.0×
brakes	21	11.4	0.3×
tyres and wheels	20	10.9	0.6×
tyres	13	7.1	1.2×
suspension	11	6	1.1×
reg plates and vin	11	6	1.2×
steering and suspension	11	6	0.2×
structure and attachments	10	5.4	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	9	4.9	0.8×

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 ZX1000 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 ZX1000.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (92.2% pass). Weakest: 2006 (71.0%).

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 ZX1000 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX1000 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX1000 is about average for its class: 84.3% of its 1,309 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2658 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX1000 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed ZX1000 tests.

What is the best year of ZX1000 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (92.2%) and 2006 worst (71.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX1000 last?

The median ZX1000 shows 13,000 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 81.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.