BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Moto Guzzi T3/vs Kawasaki ZX-6R
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Moto Guzzi T3 vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Moto Guzzi T3 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 85.6% vs 78.1%, a 7.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Moto Guzzi T3 Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate 85.6% 78.1%
Outright fail rate 7.5% 14.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +2.2 pts -5.8 pts
Engine size 844cc 599cc
Rank among all models #2333 of 5428 #3895 of 5428
Median miles at test 49,391 19,446
MOT tests analysed 931 173,956
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 Moto Guzzi T3 Kawasaki ZX-6R
Lights & signalling 3.8% 6.1%
Brakes 3.0% 5.2%
Steering & suspension 1.4% 4.6%
Tyres & wheels 1.8% 3.6%
Structure & body 0.4% 1.2%
Fuel & exhaust 0.5% 0.8%
Drive system 0% 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 Moto Guzzi T3 Kawasaki ZX-6R
2011 84.1% 76.6%
2012 85.2% 75.4%
2013 90.1% 75.5%
2014 86.5% 76.4%
2015 85.7% 76.7%
2016 81.3% 77.7%
2017 93.7% 77.1%
2018 86.1% 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 Moto Guzzi T3 Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles 83.0% 86.1%
10k-20k miles 89.2% 80.6%
20k-30k miles 79.5% 75.4%
30k-40k miles 83.3% 71.8%
40k-50k miles 89.0% 69.5%
50k-60k miles 81.9% 69.0%

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

Moto Guzzi T3 vs Kawasaki ZX-6R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Moto Guzzi T3 or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

The Moto Guzzi T3 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 85.6% vs 78.1%, a 7.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Moto Guzzi T3 still comes out ahead: +2.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Moto Guzzi T3, -5.8 for the Kawasaki ZX-6R. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Moto Guzzi T3 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.8% of Moto Guzzi T3 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.0%).

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 Moto Guzzi T3 or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

At 50k-60k miles the Moto Guzzi T3 passes first time more often: 81.9% for the Moto Guzzi T3 vs 69.0% for the Kawasaki ZX-6R.

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