Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF: 92.9% vs 92.7%, a 0.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	92.7%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	3.3%	3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+4.8 pts	+8.6 pts
Engine size	1,043cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#344 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,103	20,069
MOT tests analysed	4,467	299,381
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF	BMW R1200
Brakes	0.6%	1.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.1%	1.0%
Lights & signalling	1.0%	0.9%
Steering & suspension	0.4%	0.7%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.1%

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 ZX 1000 WHF	BMW R1200
2020	96.0%	94.0%
2021	91.1%	93.9%
2022	90.8%	93.8%
2023	93.5%	94.1%
2024	90.3%	94.0%
2025	93.4%	94.2%

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	Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	93.7%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	91.3%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	87.4%	92.8%
30k-40k miles	91.3%	91.9%

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

Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF: 92.9% vs 92.7%, a 0.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1200 still comes out ahead: +4.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF, +8.6 for the BMW R1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 1.1% of Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (1.0%).

What does the BMW R1200 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.5% of BMW R1200 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF or the BMW R1200?

They are level: at 30k-40k miles the Kawasaki ZX 1000 WHF passes 91.3% first time and the BMW R1200 91.9%.

KAWASAKI ZX 1000 WHF 92.7% pass · 4,467 tests BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests

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