CCM FT 35S vs Kawasaki ER5

The CCM FT 35S passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ER5: 86.6% vs 77.4%, a 9.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	CCM FT 35S	Kawasaki ER5
First-time pass rate	86.6%	77.4%
Outright fail rate	6.5%	14.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.8 pts	-6.2 pts
Engine size	398cc	498cc
Rank among all models	#2016 of 5428	#3999 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,020	21,259
MOT tests analysed	644	53,115
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	brakes

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	CCM FT 35S	Kawasaki ER5
Lights & signalling	5.0%	5.1%
Brakes	0.5%	6.0%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	5.4%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	3.6%
Drive system	0%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.6%	1.3%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	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	CCM FT 35S	Kawasaki ER5
2014	90.4%	73.9%
2015	88.0%	76.4%
2016	88.2%	75.6%
2017	82.5%	75.7%
2018	88.6%	78.3%
2021	90.6%	78.2%
2022	91.2%	77.7%
2023	94.4%	78.2%

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	CCM FT 35S	Kawasaki ER5
0k-10k miles	89.0%	87.5%
10k-20k miles	85.5%	79.5%
20k-30k miles	60.0%	75.4%

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

CCM FT 35S vs Kawasaki ER5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the CCM FT 35S or the Kawasaki ER5?

The CCM FT 35S passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ER5: 86.6% vs 77.4%, a 9.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the CCM FT 35S still comes out ahead: -0.8 points vs comparable bikes for the CCM FT 35S, -6.2 for the Kawasaki ER5. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the CCM FT 35S fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.0% of CCM FT 35S MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.9%).

What does the Kawasaki ER5 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 6.0% of Kawasaki ER5 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the CCM FT 35S or the Kawasaki ER5?

At 20k-30k miles the Kawasaki ER5 passes first time more often: 60.0% for the CCM FT 35S vs 75.4% for the Kawasaki ER5.

CCM FT 35S 86.6% pass · 644 tests KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests

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