KAWASAKI ZX900

900cc Petrol Class 2

#4824 of 5426 overall #585 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2782 of 2787 other bikes

68.5%

first-time pass rate

19.6%

failed outright

25,435

median miles at test

327

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX900's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX900 passes first time 69.6% of the time; by 40k that's 61.0%.

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 ZX900

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	37	26.8
steering and suspension	33	23.9
brakes	31	22.5
tyres and wheels	9	6.5
lamps and reflectors	6	4.3
structure and attachments	5	3.6
tyres	5	3.6
body and structure	5	3.6
drive system	4	2.9
fuel and exhaust	3	2.2

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 ZX900 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 ZX900.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1994 (60.7% pass). Weakest: 1994 (60.7%).

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.