KAWASAKI ZXR750R

749cc Petrol Class 2

#2866 of 5426 overall #337 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1809 of 2787 other bikes

83.4%

first-time pass rate

9.8%

failed outright

24,222

median miles at test

875

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2016

The ZXR750R's first-time pass rate has risen 2.6 points since 2006, 76.8% to 79.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZXR750R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZXR750R passes first time 86.9% of the time; by 40k that's 77.9%.

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 ZXR750R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	61	25.8	1.2×
brakes	59	25	1.0×
steering and suspension	53	22.5	1.3×
tyres and wheels	13	5.5	0.6×
drive system	13	5.5	1.6×
reg plates and vin	12	5.1	2.2×
fuel and exhaust	10	4.2	1.5×
body and structure	9	3.8	1.9×
lamps and reflectors	4	1.7	0.3×
suspension	2	0.8	0.2×

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 ZXR750R beats 3 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 ZXR750R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1993 (89.2% pass). Weakest: 1991 (76.3%).

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 ZXR750R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZXR750R reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZXR750R is about average for its class: 83.4% of its 875 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2866 of 5426 models.

What does a ZXR750R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 26% of all defects recorded against failed ZXR750R tests.

What is the best year of ZXR750R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1993-registered examples do best (89.2%) and 1991 worst (76.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZXR750R last?

The median ZXR750R shows 24,222 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 77.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.