KAWASAKI ZX900-C2

899cc Petrol Class 2

#2893 of 5426 overall #341 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1829 of 2787 other bikes

83.3%

first-time pass rate

10.3%

failed outright

20,266

median miles at test

1,020

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2018

The ZX900-C2's first-time pass rate has risen 8.6 points since 2005, 85.3% to 93.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX900-C2's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX900-C2 passes first time 86.4% of the time; by 40k that's 81.6%.

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 ZX900-C2

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	70	33	1.1×
lighting and signalling	41	19.3	0.7×
steering and suspension	41	19.3	1.1×
tyres and wheels	23	10.8	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	9	4.2	0.4×
drive system	9	4.2	1.2×
suspension	6	2.8	0.5×
reg plates and vin	5	2.4	0.9×
body and structure	4	1.9	0.8×
structure and attachments	4	1.9	0.3×

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 ZX900-C2 beats 1 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 ZX900-C2.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2000 (86.3% pass). Weakest: 1999 (82.9%).

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 ZX900-C2 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX900-C2 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX900-C2 is about average for its class: 83.3% of its 1,020 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2893 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX900-C2 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 33% of all defects recorded against failed ZX900-C2 tests.

How many miles will a ZX900-C2 last?

The median ZX900-C2 shows 20,266 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 81.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.