KAWASAKI ZXR

636cc Petrol Class 2

#4321 of 5426 overall #527 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2667 of 2787 other bikes

74.8%

first-time pass rate

16.8%

failed outright

26,724

median miles at test

2,221

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2023

The ZXR's first-time pass rate has risen 3.9 points since 2005, 83.3% to 87.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ZXR passes first time 80.3% of the time; by 50k that's 64.8%.

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 ZXR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	291	29.8	2.1×
steering and suspension	199	20.4	2.1×
brakes	199	20.4	1.5×
tyres and wheels	70	7.2	1.4×
drive system	52	5.3	2.4×
fuel and exhaust	47	4.8	2.5×
lamps and reflectors	39	4	0.7×
reg plates and vin	35	3.6	2.2×
body and structure	33	3.4	2.6×
suspension	12	1.2	0.6×

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 ZXR beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k 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 ZXR.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (92.5% pass). Weakest: 1997 (68.7%).

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.

KAWASAKI ZXR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZXR reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZXR is less reliable than average for its class: 74.8% of its 2,221 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4321 of 5426 models.

What does a ZXR fail its MOT on most?

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

What is the best year of ZXR to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (92.5%) and 1997 worst (68.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZXR last?

The median ZXR shows 26,724 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 64.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.