Kawasaki AR50 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki AR50 car check
Is the Kawasaki AR50 reliable? We analysed 1,229 real MOT tests across 348 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki AR50? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki AR50 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, direction indicators not working and direction indicator not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki AR50.
Kawasaki AR50 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki AR50. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki AR50 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki AR50 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki AR50 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki AR50 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki AR50 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki AR50 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki AR50 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki AR50 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 86 | 80.2% | 6,564 | 9,832 | 17,032 |
| 1996 | 96 | 68.8% | 7,980 | 10,790 | 16,798 |
| 1995 | 100 | 75.0% | 12,603 | 18,125 | 22,990 |
| 1994 | 81 | 84.0% | 7,842 | 11,311 | 16,859 |
| 1992 | 98 | 78.6% | 6,994 | 14,522 | 24,223 |
| 1991 | 174 | 73.6% | 10,783 | 14,990 | 19,781 |
| 1990 | 172 | 76.7% | 7,804 | 14,093 | 18,827 |
| 1989 | 121 | 74.4% | 11,303 | 16,364 | 20,224 |
| 1988 | 86 | 76.7% | 10,045 | 14,772 | 19,061 |
| 1987 | 62 | 74.2% | 10,580 | 14,361 | 26,706 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki AR50 Last?
Based on 348 Kawasaki AR50 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki AR50 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki AR50 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki AR50
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.0% MOT pass rate from 81 tests
68.8% MOT pass rate from 96 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki AR50 is 1994, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.0% across 81 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki AR50 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki AR50 THIS CAR | 76.3% | 1,229 | 13,828 mi | 39 yrs |
| Kawasaki ZX-6R | 81.7% | 204,826 | 19,965 mi | 31 yrs |
| Kawasaki ZX-9R | 83.7% | 103,150 | 22,736 mi | 32 yrs |
| Kawasaki ER5 | 81.2% | 65,763 | 22,023 mi | 30 yrs |
| Ford Fiesta Finesse TDCI | 73.1% | 450 | 131,260 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki AR50 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki AR50 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Kawasaki AR50Should you buy a used Kawasaki AR50?
The Kawasaki AR50 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.3% across 1,229 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Kawasaki AR50 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (52 recorded failures), direction indicators not working (32), and direction indicator not working (32). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Kawasaki AR50 owner drives around 217 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Kawasaki AR50 models stay on UK roads for around 39 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.