Velocette Viper vs Kawasaki ZXR400

The Velocette Viper passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZXR400: 93.8% vs 73.1%, a 20.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Velocette Viper	Kawasaki ZXR400
First-time pass rate	93.8%	73.1%
Outright fail rate	1.7%	18.9%
Engine size	350cc	398cc
Rank among all models	#198 of 5428	#4490 of 5428
Median miles at test	15,114	23,651
MOT tests analysed	1,970	14,200
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.

What fails, side by side

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

Component	Velocette Viper	Kawasaki ZXR400
Lights & signalling	0.8%	9.1%
Brakes	0.4%	7.9%
Steering & suspension	0.2%	7.9%
Tyres & wheels	0.3%	4.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	2.4%
Structure & body	0.1%	2.2%
Drive system	0.1%	1.9%

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	Velocette Viper	Kawasaki ZXR400
2011	92.7%	71.2%
2012	92.3%	69.5%
2013	93.6%	68.6%
2014	95.3%	70.6%
2015	94.8%	75.5%
2016	96.7%	75.6%
2017	95.3%	74.7%
2018	100.0%	75.9%

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	Velocette Viper	Kawasaki ZXR400
0k-10k miles	93.4%	87.1%
10k-20k miles	92.6%	77.4%
20k-30k miles	92.9%	69.9%
30k-40k miles	97.0%	67.8%
40k-50k miles	92.5%	64.7%
50k-60k miles	94.5%	64.9%

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

Velocette Viper vs Kawasaki ZXR400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Velocette Viper or the Kawasaki ZXR400?

The Velocette Viper passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZXR400: 93.8% vs 73.1%, a 20.7-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Velocette Viper fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 0.8% of Velocette Viper MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (0.4%).

What does the Kawasaki ZXR400 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 9.1% of Kawasaki ZXR400 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (7.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Velocette Viper or the Kawasaki ZXR400?

At 50k-60k miles the Velocette Viper passes first time more often: 94.5% for the Velocette Viper vs 64.9% for the Kawasaki ZXR400.

VELOCETTE VIPER 93.8% pass · 1,970 tests KAWASAKI ZXR400 73.1% pass · 14.2k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.