KAWASAKI ZX9

899cc Petrol Class 2

#3932 of 5426 overall #463 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2487 of 2787 other bikes

77.9%

first-time pass rate

13.7%

failed outright

28,666

median miles at test

1,156

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2022

The ZX9's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (80.7% → 80.6%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX9's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX9 passes first time 81.3% of the time; by 50k that's 77.0%.

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 ZX9

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	108	30.3	1.4×
brakes	87	24.4	1.2×
steering and suspension	48	13.5	1.2×
tyres and wheels	31	8.7	1.3×
reg plates and vin	22	6.2	2.3×
lamps and reflectors	19	5.3	0.7×
suspension	12	3.4	1.1×
drive system	12	3.4	1.3×
fuel and exhaust	9	2.5	1.0×
driving controls	8	2.2	2.6×

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 ZX9 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT, SUZUKI GSF1200).

BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 ZX9.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1998 (83.3% pass). Weakest: 1997 (65.4%).

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 ZX9 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX9 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX9 is less reliable than average for its class: 77.9% of its 1,156 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3932 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX9 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed ZX9 tests.

What is the best year of ZX9 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1998-registered examples do best (83.3%) and 1997 worst (65.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX9 last?

The median ZX9 shows 28,666 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 77.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.