Rudge Special vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Rudge Special passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 92.3% vs 78.1%, a 14.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Rudge Special	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	92.3%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	0.3%	14.0%
Engine size	499cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#415 of 5428	#3895 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,703	19,446
MOT tests analysed	300	173,956
Most common failure	brakes	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 test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Rudge Special	Kawasaki ZX-6R
2006	100.0%	82.8%
2007	94.6%	81.0%
2008	90.2%	78.4%
2009	92.1%	76.6%
2010	89.8%	76.3%
2011	92.5%	76.6%
2012	84.4%	75.4%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

RUDGE SPECIAL 92.3% pass · 300 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.