KAWASAKI ZXR400

398cc Petrol Class 2

#4488 of 5426 overall #554 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2730 of 2787 other bikes

73.1%

first-time pass rate

18.9%

failed outright

23,651

median miles at test

14.2k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The ZXR400's first-time pass rate has risen 14.2 points since 2005, 74.2% to 88.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZXR400's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZXR400 passes first time 87.1% of the time; by 50k that's 64.9%.

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 ZXR400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	1,901	26	2.1×
brakes	1,669	22.9	1.9×
steering and suspension	1,510	20.7	2.5×
tyres and wheels	628	8.6	1.9×
fuel and exhaust	382	5.2	3.1×
drive system	327	4.5	2.6×
body and structure	309	4.2	3.7×
reg plates and vin	251	3.4	2.5×
lamps and reflectors	187	2.6	0.5×
driving controls	137	1.9	4.0×

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 ZXR400 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k 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 ZXR400.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (86.2% pass). Weakest: 1988 (57.4%).

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 ZXR400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZXR400 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZXR400 is less reliable than average for its class: 73.1% of its 14,200 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4488 of 5426 models.

What does a ZXR400 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 26% of all defects recorded against failed ZXR400 tests.

What is the best year of ZXR400 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (86.2%) and 1988 worst (57.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZXR400 last?

The median ZXR400 shows 23,651 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 64.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.