MV Agusta F4 SPR vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The MV Agusta F4 SPR passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 85.7% vs 78.1%, a 7.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MV Agusta F4 SPR	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	85.7%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	6.7%	14.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.5 pts	-5.8 pts
Engine size	749cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#2308 of 5428	#3895 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,105	19,446
MOT tests analysed	539	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	MV Agusta F4 SPR	Kawasaki ZX-6R
Lights & signalling	3.9%	6.1%
Brakes	1.5%	5.2%
Steering & suspension	1.9%	4.6%
Tyres & wheels	0.4%	3.6%
Drive system	0.4%	1.0%
Structure & body	0.2%	1.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	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	MV Agusta F4 SPR	Kawasaki ZX-6R
2007	87.8%	81.0%
2008	79.5%	78.4%
2009	80.4%	76.6%
2010	89.7%	76.3%
2011	81.3%	76.6%
2013	83.9%	75.5%
2015	81.3%	76.7%
2016	78.1%	77.7%

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	MV Agusta F4 SPR	Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles	87.3%	86.1%
10k-20k miles	84.7%	80.6%

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

MV Agusta F4 SPR vs Kawasaki ZX-6R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MV Agusta F4 SPR or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

The MV Agusta F4 SPR passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 85.7% vs 78.1%, a 7.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the MV Agusta F4 SPR still comes out ahead: -0.5 points vs comparable bikes for the MV Agusta F4 SPR, -5.8 for the Kawasaki ZX-6R. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MV Agusta F4 SPR fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.9% of MV Agusta F4 SPR MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.9%).

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%).

MV AGUSTA F4 SPR 85.7% pass · 539 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.