Sunbeam S8 vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Sunbeam S8 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 91.4% vs 78.1%, a 13.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Sunbeam S8	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	91.4%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	3.5%	14.0%
Engine size	500cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#588 of 5428	#3895 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,540	19,446
MOT tests analysed	1,319	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.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Sunbeam S8	Kawasaki ZX-6R
Lights & signalling	1.3%	6.1%
Brakes	1.9%	5.2%
Steering & suspension	1.1%	4.6%
Tyres & wheels	0.7%	3.6%
Structure & body	0.2%	1.2%
Drive system	0.2%	1.0%
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	Sunbeam S8	Kawasaki ZX-6R
2005	92.3%	81.2%
2006	90.9%	82.8%
2007	94.2%	81.0%
2008	92.5%	78.4%
2009	88.1%	76.6%
2010	85.5%	76.3%
2011	95.2%	76.6%
2012	93.6%	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	Sunbeam S8	Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles	92.3%	86.1%
10k-20k miles	90.2%	80.6%
20k-30k miles	89.5%	75.4%
30k-40k miles	88.9%	71.8%
40k-50k miles	90.9%	69.5%
50k-60k miles	94.9%	69.0%

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

Sunbeam S8 vs Kawasaki ZX-6R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Sunbeam S8 or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

The Sunbeam S8 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 91.4% vs 78.1%, a 13.3-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Sunbeam S8 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.9% of Sunbeam S8 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (1.3%).

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 Sunbeam S8 or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

At 50k-60k miles the Sunbeam S8 passes first time more often: 94.9% for the Sunbeam S8 vs 69.0% for the Kawasaki ZX-6R.

SUNBEAM S8 91.4% pass · 1,319 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.