KAWASAKI ZX1400

1400cc Petrol Class 2

#883 of 5426 overall #104 of 592 KAWASAKIs #537 of 2787 other bikes

90.2%

first-time pass rate

4.3%

failed outright

17,231

median miles at test

2,053

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2025

The ZX1400's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.8 points since 2010, 92.6% to 90.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX1400's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX1400 passes first time 93.6% of the time; by 50k that's 75.5%.

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 ZX1400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	35	23.5	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	21	14.1	0.5×
lighting and signalling	17	11.4	0.2×
tyres	16	10.7	1.0×
suspension	15	10.1	0.8×
steering and suspension	12	8.1	0.1×
tyres and wheels	12	8.1	0.2×
reg plates and vin	11	7.4	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	5	3.4	1.1×
structure and attachments	5	3.4	0.2×

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 ZX1400 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, SUZUKI GSF1200).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests YAMAHA XJR1300 87.4% pass · 95.1k 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 ZX1400.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (92.6% pass). Weakest: 2012 (88.9%).

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 ZX1400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX1400 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX1400 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.2% of its 2,053 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #883 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX1400 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 23% of all defects recorded against failed ZX1400 tests.

What is the best year of ZX1400 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (92.6%) and 2012 worst (88.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX1400 last?

The median ZX1400 shows 17,231 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.