Model report · 2005–2025
KAWASAKI ZX400-L1
398cc
Petrol
Class 2
61.1%
first-time pass rate
30.5%
failed outright
28,712
median miles at test
95
MOT tests, 2005–2025
What fails on a ZX400-L1
failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering and suspension |
|
21 | 24.4 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
18 | 20.9 |
| brakes |
|
17 | 19.8 |
| body and structure |
|
9 | 10.5 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
7 | 8.1 |
| drive system |
|
7 | 8.1 |
| reg plates and vin |
|
4 | 4.7 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
2 | 2.3 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
1 | 1.2 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
same type, similar capacity, high test volume
On first-time pass rate the ZX400-L1 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).
KAWASAKI
ER5
77.4% pass · 53.1k tests
SUZUKI
GS500
76.4% pass · 44.9k tests
SUZUKI
AN400
86.2% pass · 27.1k tests
SUZUKI
DR-Z400S
80.4% pass · 26.8k 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 ZX400-L1.
Pass rate by registration year
how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date
Best year to buy used: 1991 (66.7% pass). Weakest: 1991 (66.7%).
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.