KAWASAKI ZX636

636cc Petrol Class 2

#3975 of 5426 overall #470 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2519 of 2787 other bikes

77.5%

first-time pass rate

12.5%

failed outright

13,196

median miles at test

1,596

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The ZX636's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.6 points since 2007, 85.7% to 79.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX636's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX636 passes first time 83.2% of the time; by 40k that's 75.0%.

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 ZX636

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	127	31.4	1.2×
brakes	67	16.5	0.6×
steering and suspension	49	12.1	0.8×
tyres and wheels	49	12.1	1.4×
lamps and reflectors	45	11.1	1.2×
reg plates and vin	26	6.4	2.1×
drive system	12	3	0.8×
body and structure	11	2.7	1.2×
fuel and exhaust	10	2.5	0.7×
tyres	9	2.2	0.8×

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 ZX636 beats 1 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 ZX636.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (79.3% pass). Weakest: 2004 (76.0%).

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 ZX636 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX636 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX636 is less reliable than average for its class: 77.5% of its 1,596 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3975 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX636 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed ZX636 tests.

What is the best year of ZX636 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (79.3%) and 2005 worst (76.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX636 last?

The median ZX636 shows 13,196 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 75.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.