Kawasaki EN500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki EN500 car check
Is the Kawasaki EN500 reliable? We analysed 7,833 real MOT tests across 896 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki EN500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki EN500 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki EN500.
Kawasaki EN500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki EN500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki EN500 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki EN500 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki EN500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki EN500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki EN500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki EN500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki EN500 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki EN500 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 131 | 85.5% | 4,858 | 10,672 | 18,440 |
| 2002 | 230 | 82.6% | 13,188 | 23,094 | 34,206 |
| 2001 | 74 | 79.7% | 5,118 | 13,838 | 23,967 |
| 2000 | 114 | 85.1% | 7,823 | 12,894 | 19,876 |
| 1999 | 274 | 86.5% | 6,200 | 9,866 | 18,951 |
| 1998 | 390 | 83.1% | 9,126 | 13,884 | 21,390 |
| 1997 | 697 | 81.5% | 7,489 | 14,885 | 23,874 |
| 1996 | 403 | 82.6% | 7,322 | 13,650 | 24,433 |
| 1995 | 563 | 82.4% | 9,975 | 17,602 | 24,526 |
| 1994 | 576 | 82.3% | 10,754 | 17,077 | 24,158 |
| 1993 | 771 | 82.0% | 11,900 | 19,783 | 27,598 |
| 1992 | 896 | 80.8% | 13,339 | 19,725 | 30,980 |
| 1991 | 1,371 | 81.6% | 13,976 | 20,200 | 27,236 |
| 1990 | 1,124 | 82.4% | 13,558 | 23,736 | 32,565 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki EN500 Last?
Based on 896 Kawasaki EN500 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki EN500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki EN500 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 EN500
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.5% MOT pass rate from 274 tests
79.7% MOT pass rate from 74 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki EN500 is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.5% across 274 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki EN500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki EN500 THIS CAR | 82.2% | 7,833 | 18,244 mi | 36 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 |
| Morgan Roadster | 87.3% | 9,560 | 14,710 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki EN500 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki EN500 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 EN500Should you buy a used Kawasaki EN500?
The Kawasaki EN500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.2% across 7,833 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 EN500 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (121 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (112), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (110). 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 EN500 owner drives around 336 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 EN500 models stay on UK roads for around 36 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.