KAWASAKI ZZ-R1200

1164cc Petrol Class 2

#2089 of 5426 overall #237 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1277 of 2787 other bikes

86.4%

first-time pass rate

8.2%

failed outright

22,168

median miles at test

3,392

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The ZZ-R1200's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.7 points since 2006, 91.3% to 85.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZZ-R1200's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZZ-R1200 passes first time 93.9% of the time; by 50k that's 85.3%.

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 ZZ-R1200

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	140	27.8	0.7×
steering and suspension	95	18.8	0.7×
tyres and wheels	70	13.9	0.9×
lighting and signalling	54	10.7	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	54	10.7	0.7×
suspension	32	6.3	1.2×
tyres	19	3.8	0.8×
structure and attachments	16	3.2	0.7×
drive system	12	2.4	0.4×
reg plates and vin	12	2.4	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 ZZ-R1200 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 ZZ-R1200.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (88.6% pass). Weakest: 2005 (85.1%).

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 ZZ-R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZZ-R1200 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZZ-R1200 is about average for its class: 86.4% of its 3,392 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2089 of 5426 models.

What does a ZZ-R1200 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 28% of all defects recorded against failed ZZ-R1200 tests.

What is the best year of ZZ-R1200 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (88.6%) and 2005 worst (85.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZZ-R1200 last?

The median ZZ-R1200 shows 22,168 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 85.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.