KAWASAKI ZX636 B1H

636cc Petrol Class 2

#2792 of 5426 overall #328 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1762 of 2787 other bikes

83.8%

first-time pass rate

9.1%

failed outright

12,500

median miles at test

1,367

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZX636 B1H's first-time pass rate has risen 7.4 points since 2006, 86.1% to 93.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX636 B1H's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX636 B1H passes first time 85.0% of the time; by 30k that's 77.6%.

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 B1H

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	99	38.1	1.1×
reg plates and vin	31	11.9	3.2×
tyres and wheels	31	11.9	1.1×
brakes	28	10.8	0.4×
steering and suspension	23	8.8	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	16	6.2	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	9	3.5	0.8×
drive system	8	3.1	0.6×
body and structure	8	3.1	1.1×
structure and attachments	7	2.7	0.7×

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 B1H beats 3 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 B1H.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (84.9% pass). Weakest: 2004 (82.4%).

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 B1H FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX636 B1H reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX636 B1H is about average for its class: 83.8% of its 1,367 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2792 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX636 B1H fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 38% of all defects recorded against failed ZX636 B1H tests.

What is the best year of ZX636 B1H to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (84.9%) and 2004 worst (82.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX636 B1H last?

The median ZX636 B1H shows 12,500 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 77.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.