BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F/vs Kawasaki ZX-6R
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 84.4% vs 78.1%, a 6.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate 84.4% 78.1%
Outright fail rate 7.3% 14.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -1.1 pts -5.8 pts
Engine size 748cc 599cc
Rank among all models #2639 of 5428 #3895 of 5428
Median miles at test 13,409 19,446
MOT tests analysed 3,954 173,956
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 Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F Kawasaki ZX-6R
Lights & signalling 3.6% 6.1%
Brakes 1.6% 5.2%
Steering & suspension 1.6% 4.6%
Tyres & wheels 2.4% 3.6%
Structure & body 0.9% 1.2%
Drive system 0.4% 1.0%
Fuel & exhaust 0.1% 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 Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F Kawasaki ZX-6R
2018 85.6% 78.5%
2019 81.5% 78.5%
2020 80.1% 78.1%
2021 81.0% 78.6%
2022 78.7% 79.4%
2023 86.8% 79.8%
2024 80.3% 80.3%
2025 84.5% 81.1%

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 Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles 88.8% 86.1%
10k-20k miles 85.8% 80.6%
20k-30k miles 80.9% 75.4%
30k-40k miles 75.0% 71.8%
40k-50k miles 74.1% 69.5%

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

Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F vs Kawasaki ZX-6R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

The Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 84.4% vs 78.1%, a 6.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F still comes out ahead: -1.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F, -5.8 for the Kawasaki ZX-6R. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.6% of Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.4%).

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 Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

At 40k-50k miles the Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F passes first time more often: 74.1% for the Kawasaki ZR 750 K6F vs 69.5% for the Kawasaki ZX-6R.

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