BMW C400 vs Kawasaki ZXR400

The BMW C400 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZXR400: 95.1% vs 73.1%, a 22.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	BMW C400	Kawasaki ZXR400
First-time pass rate	95.1%	73.1%
Outright fail rate	3.1%	18.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.2 pts	-9.9 pts
Engine size	350cc	398cc
Rank among all models	#67 of 5428	#4490 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,877	23,651
MOT tests analysed	1,126	14,200
Most common failure	tyres	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	BMW C400	Kawasaki ZXR400
Lights & signalling	0.7%	9.1%
Brakes	0.9%	7.9%
Steering & suspension	0.5%	7.9%
Tyres & wheels	1.2%	4.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	2.4%
Structure & body	0.1%	2.2%
Drive system	0%	1.9%

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	BMW C400	Kawasaki ZXR400
2022	96.2%	86.3%
2023	94.4%	82.8%
2024	96.4%	80.0%
2025	93.9%	88.4%

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	BMW C400	Kawasaki ZXR400
0k-10k miles	96.4%	87.1%
10k-20k miles	92.6%	77.4%
20k-30k miles	81.3%	69.9%

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

BMW C400 vs Kawasaki ZXR400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW C400 or the Kawasaki ZXR400?

The BMW C400 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZXR400: 95.1% vs 73.1%, a 22.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW C400 still comes out ahead: +6.2 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW C400, -9.9 for the Kawasaki ZXR400. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW C400 fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 1.2% of BMW C400 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (0.9%).

What does the Kawasaki ZXR400 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 9.1% of Kawasaki ZXR400 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (7.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the BMW C400 or the Kawasaki ZXR400?

At 20k-30k miles the BMW C400 passes first time more often: 81.3% for the BMW C400 vs 69.9% for the Kawasaki ZXR400.

BMW C400 95.1% pass · 1,126 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.