Rudge Ulster vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Rudge Ulster passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 96.4% vs 78.1%, a 18.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Rudge Ulster	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	96.4%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	1.3%	14.0%
Engine size	499cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#18 of 5428	#3895 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,803	19,446
MOT tests analysed	391	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 Ulster	Kawasaki ZX-6R
2006	98.5%	82.8%
2007	96.2%	81.0%
2008	97.9%	78.4%
2009	95.9%	76.6%
2010	95.5%	76.3%
2011	90.9%	76.6%
2012	97.6%	75.4%

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	Rudge Ulster	Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles	96.9%	86.1%
10k-20k miles	96.2%	80.6%

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

RUDGE ULSTER 96.4% pass · 391 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.