KAWASAKI ZXR750

748cc Petrol Class 2

#4459 of 5426 overall #549 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2718 of 2787 other bikes

73.4%

first-time pass rate

17.9%

failed outright

29,943

median miles at test

12.1k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZXR750's first-time pass rate has risen 13.8 points since 2005, 74.3% to 88.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZXR750's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZXR750 passes first time 79.0% of the time; by 50k that's 72.5%.

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 ZXR750

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	1,555	26.6	2.0×
brakes	1,359	23.3	1.7×
steering and suspension	1,307	22.4	2.6×
tyres and wheels	468	8	1.7×
reg plates and vin	263	4.5	3.1×
fuel and exhaust	253	4.3	2.6×
drive system	244	4.2	2.3×
body and structure	174	3	2.5×
lamps and reflectors	138	2.4	0.5×
driving controls	76	1.3	2.6×

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 ZXR750 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 TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 ZXR750.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1999 (85.7% pass). Weakest: 1971 (57.8%).

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 ZXR750 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZXR750 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZXR750 is less reliable than average for its class: 73.4% of its 12,113 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4459 of 5426 models.

What does a ZXR750 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 27% of all defects recorded against failed ZXR750 tests.

What is the best year of ZXR750 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1999-registered examples do best (85.7%) and 1971 worst (57.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZXR750 last?

The median ZXR750 shows 29,943 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 72.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.