Matchless G12CSR vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Matchless G12CSR passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 93.5% vs 78.1%, a 15.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Matchless G12CSR	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	93.5%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	2.9%	14.0%
Engine size	650cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#234 of 5428	#3895 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,760	19,446
MOT tests analysed	279	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.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Matchless G12CSR	Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles	92.4%	86.1%
10k-20k miles	90.9%	80.6%
40k-50k miles	96.8%	69.5%

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

MATCHLESS G12CSR 93.5% pass · 279 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.