KAWASAKI ZX6

599cc Petrol Class 2

#4336 of 5426 overall #531 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2677 of 2787 other bikes

74.7%

first-time pass rate

16.4%

failed outright

22,940

median miles at test

1,711

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZX6's first-time pass rate has fallen 14.1 points since 2006, 86.8% to 72.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX6's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX6 passes first time 84.7% of the time; by 50k that's 60.0%.

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 ZX6

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	171	25.6	1.7×
brakes	165	24.7	1.5×
steering and suspension	121	18.1	1.8×
tyres and wheels	64	9.6	1.5×
lamps and reflectors	33	4.9	0.8×
reg plates and vin	32	4.8	2.3×
fuel and exhaust	27	4	1.8×
drive system	24	3.6	1.8×
structure and attachments	15	2.2	0.9×
tyres	15	2.2	1.3×

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 ZX6 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 ZX6.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (88.2% pass). Weakest: 1997 (58.0%).

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 ZX6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX6 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX6 is less reliable than average for its class: 74.7% of its 1,711 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4336 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX6 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 26% of all defects recorded against failed ZX6 tests.

What is the best year of ZX6 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (88.2%) and 1997 worst (58.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX6 last?

The median ZX6 shows 22,940 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 60.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.