KAWASAKI ZX600-A3

592cc Petrol Class 2

65.0%

first-time pass rate

26.3%

failed outright

36,182

median miles at test

137

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a ZX600-A3

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	28	33.7
steering and suspension	24	28.9
lighting and signalling	17	20.5
drive system	6	7.2
suspension	3	3.6
body and structure	2	2.4
tyres and wheels	1	1.2
reg plates and vin	1	1.2
audible warning (Horn)	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 ZX600-A3 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 ZX600-A3.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1987 (59.5% pass). Weakest: 1987 (59.5%).

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.