KAWASAKI ZX900-A4

908cc Petrol Class 2

80.2%

first-time pass rate

13.7%

failed outright

39,117

median miles at test

131

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a ZX900-A4

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	13	30.2
steering and suspension	9	20.9
lighting and signalling	7	16.3
tyres and wheels	4	9.3
lamps and reflectors	3	7
fuel and exhaust	3	7
drive system	2	4.7
reg plates and vin	1	2.3
tyres	1	2.3

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-A4 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-A4.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1987 (81.3% pass). Weakest: 1987 (81.3%).

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.