Velocette MSS 500 vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Velocette MSS 500 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	Velocette MSS 500	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	91.4%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	1.7%	14.0%
Engine size	500cc	599cc
Median miles at test	18,703	19,446
MOT tests analysed	116	173,956
Most common failure	tyres and wheels	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 mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Velocette MSS 500	Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles	94.6%	86.1%
20k-30k miles	91.2%	75.4%

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

VELOCETTE MSS 500 91.4% pass · 116 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.