KAWASAKI ZX1200-A1

1199cc Petrol Class 2

#2230 of 5426 overall #253 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1380 of 2787 other bikes

85.9%

first-time pass rate

9.2%

failed outright

16,845

median miles at test

653

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2009

The ZX1200-A1's first-time pass rate has risen 1.3 points since 2006, 84.9% to 86.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX1200-A1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX1200-A1 passes first time 90.6% of the time; by 30k that's 86.6%.

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 ZX1200-A1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	31	25.2	0.8×
lighting and signalling	29	23.6	0.7×
tyres and wheels	17	13.8	1.2×
steering and suspension	16	13	0.6×
reg plates and vin	10	8.1	1.9×
fuel and exhaust	8	6.5	1.4×
lamps and reflectors	5	4.1	0.5×
suspension	4	3.3	0.6×
drive system	2	1.6	0.4×
body and structure	1	0.8	0.3×

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 ZX1200-A1 beats 2 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 ZX1200-A1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2000 (86.6% pass). Weakest: 2002 (83.0%).

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 ZX1200-A1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX1200-A1 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX1200-A1 is about average for its class: 85.9% of its 653 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2230 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX1200-A1 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 25% of all defects recorded against failed ZX1200-A1 tests.

What is the best year of ZX1200-A1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2000-registered examples do best (86.6%) and 2002 worst (83.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX1200-A1 last?

The median ZX1200-A1 shows 16,845 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 86.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.