Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Honda CB750 vs Kawasaki Z1000
The Kawasaki Z1000 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB750: 84.5% vs 82.9%, a 1.6-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Honda CB750 | Kawasaki Z1000 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 82.9% | 84.5% |
| Outright fail rate | 9.8% | 7.5% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -1.1 pts | -0.5 pts |
| Engine size | 748cc | 953cc |
| Rank among all models | #2985 of 5428 | #2613 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 25,766 | 17,154 |
| MOT tests analysed | 18,794 | 22,743 |
| Most common failure | brakes | 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
| Component | Honda CB750 | Kawasaki Z1000 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 4.0% | 4.0% |
| Brakes | 4.2% | 2.2% |
| Steering & suspension | 3.7% | 1.9% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| Structure & body | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.8% | 0.4% |
| Drive system | 0.7% | 0.3% |
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
| Test year | Honda CB750 | Kawasaki Z1000 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 83.7% | 87.6% |
| 2019 | 83.0% | 85.7% |
| 2020 | 84.8% | 86.9% |
| 2021 | 83.3% | 85.5% |
| 2022 | 85.9% | 88.1% |
| 2023 | 88.2% | 86.5% |
| 2024 | 85.9% | 85.1% |
| 2025 | 85.5% | 85.9% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Honda CB750 | Kawasaki Z1000 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 84.4% | 87.2% |
| 10k-20k miles | 85.8% | 85.7% |
| 20k-30k miles | 84.2% | 82.5% |
| 30k-40k miles | 80.7% | 82.0% |
| 40k-50k miles | 81.1% | 79.3% |
| 50k-60k miles | 78.2% | 83.7% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Honda CB750 vs Kawasaki Z1000 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Honda CB750 or the Kawasaki Z1000?
The Kawasaki Z1000 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB750: 84.5% vs 82.9%, a 1.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-1.1 vs -0.5 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Honda CB750 fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 4.2% of Honda CB750 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (4.0%).
What does the Kawasaki Z1000 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 4.0% of Kawasaki Z1000 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.2%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CB750 or the Kawasaki Z1000?
At 50k-60k miles the Kawasaki Z1000 passes first time more often: 78.2% for the Honda CB750 vs 83.7% for the Kawasaki Z1000.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.