Kawasaki ER5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki ER5 car check
Is the Kawasaki ER5 reliable? We analysed 65,763 real MOT tests across 6,087 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki ER5? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki ER5 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki ER5.
Kawasaki ER5 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki ER5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki ER5 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki ER5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki ER5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki ER5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki ER5 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki ER5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki ER5 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki ER5 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1,016 | 84.3% | 9,384 | 19,014 | 31,542 |
| 2006 | 1,831 | 83.0% | 9,295 | 16,017 | 27,681 |
| 2005 | 2,007 | 83.2% | 10,210 | 19,374 | 30,599 |
| 2004 | 1,945 | 81.3% | 10,342 | 18,240 | 29,192 |
| 2003 | 5,768 | 81.9% | 10,673 | 19,595 | 30,878 |
| 2002 | 8,324 | 82.1% | 11,220 | 19,604 | 31,371 |
| 2001 | 9,720 | 81.5% | 12,001 | 20,105 | 30,262 |
| 2000 | 9,141 | 81.4% | 14,224 | 22,632 | 33,927 |
| 1999 | 8,858 | 80.3% | 14,293 | 22,725 | 33,400 |
| 1998 | 8,411 | 80.1% | 16,288 | 25,438 | 35,948 |
| 1997 | 8,009 | 80.0% | 16,647 | 26,076 | 37,675 |
| 1996 | 542 | 77.9% | 16,195 | 27,627 | 37,387 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki ER5 Last?
Based on 6,087 Kawasaki ER5 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki ER5 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki ER5 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 ER5
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.3% MOT pass rate from 1,016 tests
77.9% MOT pass rate from 542 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki ER5 is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.3% across 1,016 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki ER5 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki ER5 THIS CAR | 81.2% | 65,763 | 22,023 mi | 30 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 ZZR600 | 82.2% | 64,083 | 26,216 mi | 36 yrs |
| Nissan Juke Tekna Dig-t | 89.9% | 26,071 | 24,646 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki ER5 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki ER5 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 ER5Should you buy a used Kawasaki ER5?
The Kawasaki ER5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.2% across 65,763 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 ER5 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (1,027 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (880), and roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort (668). 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 ER5 owner drives around 1,017 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 ER5 models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.