BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Husqvarna TE610E/vs Kawasaki ZX-6R
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Husqvarna TE610E vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Kawasaki ZX-6R passes its MOT first time more often than the Husqvarna TE610E: 78.1% vs 75.2%, a 2.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Husqvarna TE610E Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate 75.2% 78.1%
Outright fail rate 12.5% 14.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -11.4 pts -5.8 pts
Engine size 577cc 599cc
Rank among all models #4276 of 5428 #3895 of 5428
Median miles at test 9,082 19,446
MOT tests analysed 1,180 173,956
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 TE610E Kawasaki ZX-6R
Lights & signalling 7.2% 6.1%
Steering & suspension 3.9% 4.6%
Brakes 2.7% 5.2%
Tyres & wheels 2.5% 3.6%
Fuel & exhaust 1.0% 0.8%
Structure & body 0.6% 1.2%
Drive system 0.5% 1.0%

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 TE610E Kawasaki ZX-6R
2013 74.2% 75.5%
2014 75.0% 76.4%
2015 67.9% 76.7%
2016 69.6% 77.7%
2017 78.0% 77.1%
2018 73.5% 78.5%
2019 80.6% 78.5%
2021 70.3% 78.6%

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 TE610E Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles 75.5% 86.1%
10k-20k miles 77.4% 80.6%
20k-30k miles 68.4% 75.4%

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

Husqvarna TE610E vs Kawasaki ZX-6R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Husqvarna TE610E or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

The Kawasaki ZX-6R passes its MOT first time more often than the Husqvarna TE610E: 78.1% vs 75.2%, a 2.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki ZX-6R still comes out ahead: -11.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Husqvarna TE610E, -5.8 for the Kawasaki ZX-6R. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Husqvarna TE610E fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.2% of Husqvarna TE610E MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.9%).

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 Husqvarna TE610E or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

At 20k-30k miles the Kawasaki ZX-6R passes first time more often: 68.4% for the Husqvarna TE610E vs 75.4% for the Kawasaki ZX-6R.

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