Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650 vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 86.6% vs 78.1%, a 8.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	86.6%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	7.5%	14.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.7 pts	-5.8 pts
Engine size	660cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#2016 of 5428	#3895 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,372	19,446
MOT tests analysed	784	173,956
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.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650	Kawasaki ZX-6R
Lights & signalling	2.4%	6.1%
Brakes	2.2%	5.2%
Steering & suspension	2.0%	4.6%
Tyres & wheels	2.3%	3.6%
Drive system	1.4%	1.0%
Structure & body	0.3%	1.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.8%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650	Kawasaki ZX-6R
2010	91.0%	76.3%
2011	86.5%	76.6%
2012	85.4%	75.4%
2013	78.8%	75.5%
2014	92.3%	76.4%
2015	82.9%	76.7%
2016	84.2%	77.7%
2017	86.6%	77.1%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

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

Mileage	Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650	Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles	88.2%	86.1%
10k-20k miles	87.1%	80.6%
20k-30k miles	79.2%	75.4%

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

Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650 vs Kawasaki ZX-6R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650 or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

The Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 86.6% vs 78.1%, a 8.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650 still comes out ahead: -0.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650, -5.8 for the Kawasaki ZX-6R. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.4% of Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.3%).

What does the Kawasaki ZX-6R fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.1% of Kawasaki ZX-6R MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (5.2%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650 or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

At 20k-30k miles the Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650 passes first time more often: 79.2% for the Aprilia Pegaso Strada 650 vs 75.4% for the Kawasaki ZX-6R.

APRILIA PEGASO STRADA 650 86.6% pass · 784 tests KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests

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