KAWASAKI ZX1200-C1H

1164cc Petrol Class 2

#2089 of 5426 overall #237 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1277 of 2787 other bikes

86.4%

first-time pass rate

8.5%

failed outright

17,778

median miles at test

2,340

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The ZX1200-C1H's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.2 points since 2006, 93.0% to 83.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX1200-C1H's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX1200-C1H passes first time 93.2% of the time; by 50k that's 66.7%.

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 ZX1200-C1H

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	113	31	0.8×
steering and suspension	76	20.9	0.9×
tyres and wheels	41	11.3	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	33	9.1	0.7×
lighting and signalling	31	8.5	0.3×
suspension	21	5.8	0.9×
structure and attachments	16	4.4	0.9×
tyres	15	4.1	0.9×
drive system	9	2.5	0.5×
steering	9	2.5	0.7×

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-C1H 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-C1H.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (89.8% pass). Weakest: 2005 (81.8%).

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-C1H FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX1200-C1H reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX1200-C1H is about average for its class: 86.4% of its 2,340 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2089 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX1200-C1H fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 31% of all defects recorded against failed ZX1200-C1H tests.

What is the best year of ZX1200-C1H to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (89.8%) and 2005 worst (81.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX1200-C1H last?

The median ZX1200-C1H shows 17,778 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 66.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.