KAWASAKI ZZR

1052cc Petrol Class 2

#3531 of 5426 overall #419 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2246 of 2787 other bikes

80.2%

first-time pass rate

13.9%

failed outright

28,782

median miles at test

5,103

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZZR's first-time pass rate has risen 1.9 points since 2005, 83.8% to 85.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ZZR passes first time 89.9% of the time; by 50k that's 74.0%.

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 ZZR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	518	33.7	1.6×
steering and suspension	292	19	1.4×
lighting and signalling	244	15.9	0.9×
tyres and wheels	170	11.1	1.4×
drive system	100	6.5	2.0×
lamps and reflectors	53	3.5	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	47	3.1	1.1×
suspension	46	3	1.0×
reg plates and vin	36	2.3	1.1×
structure and attachments	30	2	0.7×

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 ZZR beats 0 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 ZZR.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (94.1% pass). Weakest: 1991 (70.2%).

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 ZZR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZZR reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZZR is less reliable than average for its class: 80.2% of its 5,103 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3531 of 5426 models.

What does a ZZR fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 34% of all defects recorded against failed ZZR tests.

What is the best year of ZZR to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (94.1%) and 1991 worst (70.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZZR last?

The median ZZR shows 28,782 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 74.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.