KAWASAKI ZX900-E1

899cc Petrol Class 2

#3318 of 5426 overall #388 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2114 of 2787 other bikes

81.3%

first-time pass rate

10.2%

failed outright

17,141

median miles at test

1,193

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2023

The ZX900-E1's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.4 points since 2006, 84.8% to 77.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX900-E1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX900-E1 passes first time 89.9% of the time; by 40k that's 93.0%.

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-E1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	73	28.4	0.9×
lighting and signalling	45	17.5	0.7×
steering and suspension	40	15.6	0.8×
tyres and wheels	30	11.7	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	21	8.2	0.6×
reg plates and vin	14	5.4	2.0×
tyres	9	3.5	1.0×
fuel and exhaust	9	3.5	1.0×
body and structure	9	3.5	1.4×
structure and attachments	7	2.7	0.5×

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-E1 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 ZX900-E1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2001 (83.0% pass). Weakest: 2002 (70.1%).

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-E1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX900-E1 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX900-E1 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.3% of its 1,193 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3318 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX900-E1 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 28% of all defects recorded against failed ZX900-E1 tests.

What is the best year of ZX900-E1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2001-registered examples do best (83.0%) and 2002 worst (70.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZX900-E1 last?

The median ZX900-E1 shows 17,141 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 93.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.