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Kawasaki Eliminator Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Kawasaki Eliminator reliable? We analysed 1,130 real MOT tests across 128 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,130 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
80.6%
Typical Mileage
17,352mi
Annual Mileage
377mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
41yrs

The Kawasaki Eliminator is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Eliminator.

Kawasaki Eliminator Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki Eliminator. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki Eliminator MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki Eliminator to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

80.3%
2005
81%
1999
81.8%
1998
82.7%
1997
81.8%
1996
80.2%
1995
77%
1986
82.4%
1985

Kawasaki Eliminator Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki Eliminator fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 16
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 11
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 10
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 9
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 7
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 7
Throttle operating incorrectly 7
Brake pad(s) contaminated by oil or grease 4

Kawasaki Eliminator Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki Eliminator owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
90 mi/yr
Typical
377 mi/yr
Average
878 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,091 mi/yr

Kawasaki Eliminator MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki Eliminator year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2005 61 80.3% 8,025 12,093 14,945
1999 63 81.0% 17,776 27,981 31,928
1998 77 81.8% 17,044 21,200 31,656
1997 81 82.7% 16,350 18,625 36,343
1996 176 81.8% 13,166 21,475 29,758
1995 162 80.2% 5,716 13,916 22,050
1986 87 77.0% 6,694 20,795 30,930
1985 85 82.4% 14,981 29,022 40,376

How Long Does a Kawasaki Eliminator Last?

Based on 128 Kawasaki Eliminator vehicles on UK roads.

Average
20.5 years
Median
21.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
41 years

Kawasaki Eliminator Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki Eliminator MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
17,352 mi
75th Percentile
28,602 mi
95th Percentile
45,467 mi
Max Recorded
89,282 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki Eliminator

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1997

82.7% MOT pass rate from 81 tests

Year to avoid
1986

77.0% MOT pass rate from 87 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Eliminator is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.7% across 81 tests. The 1986 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki Eliminator Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki Eliminator THIS CAR 80.6% 1,130 17,352 mi 41 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 Model T 95.7% 1,342 5,946 mi 105 yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Eliminator trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki Eliminator?

The Kawasaki Eliminator has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.6% across 1,130 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 Eliminator are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (16 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (11), and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (10). 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 Eliminator owner drives around 377 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 Eliminator models stay on UK roads for around 41 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.

Kawasaki Eliminator — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki Eliminator reliable?
Based on 1,130 MOT tests, the Kawasaki Eliminator has a 80.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki Eliminator?
The most common MOT failures are roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki Eliminator do per year?
The typical Kawasaki Eliminator does around 377 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki Eliminator last?
Most Kawasaki Eliminator models stay on UK roads for around 41 years based on our analysis of 128 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki Eliminator?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Kawasaki Eliminator?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki Eliminator is 1997 with a 82.7% pass rate across 81 tests.