Husqvarna SM 510 R vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Husqvarna SM 510 R passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 80.2% vs 78.1%, a 2.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Husqvarna SM 510 R	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	80.2%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	8.6%	14.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-7.9 pts	-5.8 pts
Engine size	501cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#3532 of 5428	#3895 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,390	19,446
MOT tests analysed	607	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	Husqvarna SM 510 R	Kawasaki ZX-6R
Lights & signalling	6.6%	6.1%
Brakes	1.6%	5.2%
Steering & suspension	1.6%	4.6%
Tyres & wheels	1.2%	3.6%
Drive system	0.5%	1.0%
Structure & body	0.2%	1.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	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	Husqvarna SM 510 R	Kawasaki ZX-6R
2011	83.9%	76.6%
2012	81.8%	75.4%
2013	73.5%	75.5%
2014	80.4%	76.4%
2015	83.7%	76.7%
2016	78.7%	77.7%
2017	85.4%	77.1%
2018	83.3%	78.5%

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	Husqvarna SM 510 R	Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles	81.4%	86.1%
10k-20k miles	80.6%	80.6%

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

Husqvarna SM 510 R vs Kawasaki ZX-6R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Husqvarna SM 510 R or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

The Husqvarna SM 510 R passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 80.2% vs 78.1%, a 2.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki ZX-6R still comes out ahead: -7.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Husqvarna SM 510 R, -5.8 for the Kawasaki ZX-6R. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Husqvarna SM 510 R fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.6% of Husqvarna SM 510 R MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.6%).

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%).

HUSQVARNA SM 510 R 80.2% pass · 607 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.