KAWASAKI ZX400-L9

398cc Petrol Class 2

81.6%

first-time pass rate

11.7%

failed outright

12,002

median miles at test

179

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2007

The ZX400-L9's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.5 points since 2006, 87.5% to 80.0%.

What fails on a ZX400-L9

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	17	36.2
steering and suspension	11	23.4
brakes	5	10.6
tyres and wheels	4	8.5
fuel and exhaust	3	6.4
body and structure	2	4.3
driving controls	2	4.3
drive system	2	4.3
reg plates and vin	1	2.1

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-L9 beats 3 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-L9.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1999 (74.3% pass). Weakest: 1999 (74.3%).

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.