Ajs Model 8 vs Kawasaki ZXR400

The Ajs Model 8 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZXR400: 90.9% vs 73.1%, a 17.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Ajs Model 8	Kawasaki ZXR400
First-time pass rate	90.9%	73.1%
Outright fail rate	3.2%	18.9%
Engine size	350cc	398cc
Median miles at test	13,006	23,651
MOT tests analysed	186	14,200
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Ajs Model 8	Kawasaki ZXR400
0k-10k miles	88.5%	87.1%
10k-20k miles	88.9%	77.4%
20k-30k miles	93.3%	69.9%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

AJS MODEL 8 90.9% pass · 186 tests KAWASAKI ZXR400 73.1% pass · 14.2k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.