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Kawasaki ER6 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki ER6 car check

Is the Kawasaki ER6 reliable? We analysed 28,470 real MOT tests across 2,580 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 28,470 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.9%
Typical Mileage
13,860mi
Annual Mileage
979mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
21yrs

The Kawasaki ER6 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki ER6.

Kawasaki ER6 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki ER6. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki ER6 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki ER6 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

88.8%
2016
84.9%
2015
84.8%
2014
86.7%
2013
85.7%
2012
85.6%
2011
87.7%
2010
86.5%
2009
85.3%
2008
85.9%
2007
85.2%
2006
85.8%
2005

Kawasaki ER6 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki ER6 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 288
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 133
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 96
Drive chain excessively loose 96
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 91

Kawasaki ER6 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Kawasaki ER6 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 172
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 80

Kawasaki ER6 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki ER6 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
309 mi/yr
Typical
979 mi/yr
Average
1,786 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,363 mi/yr

Kawasaki ER6 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki ER6 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2016 152 88.8% 5,190 11,814 25,880
2015 179 84.9% 5,208 8,976 14,452
2014 204 84.8% 6,074 12,464 18,323
2013 83 86.7% 6,656 15,253 21,728
2012 1,047 85.7% 6,464 12,868 21,794
2011 2,186 85.6% 7,393 13,172 20,783
2010 3,493 87.7% 6,584 11,738 19,952
2009 4,633 86.5% 7,412 13,184 22,690
2008 5,910 85.3% 8,165 14,860 24,041
2007 4,269 85.9% 8,614 15,633 26,586
2006 5,761 85.2% 8,211 14,332 23,318
2005 401 85.8% 7,886 15,354 25,236

How Long Does a Kawasaki ER6 Last?

Based on 2,580 Kawasaki ER6 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.0 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
21 years

Kawasaki ER6 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki ER6 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
13,860 mi
75th Percentile
23,186 mi
95th Percentile
41,252 mi
Max Recorded
672,075 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki ER6

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

Best year
2016

88.8% MOT pass rate from 152 tests

Year to avoid
2014

84.8% MOT pass rate from 204 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki ER6 is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.8% across 152 tests. The 2014 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki ER6 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki ER6 THIS CAR 85.9% 28,470 13,860 mi 21 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
Ssangyong Rodius 69.9% 44,764 60,429 mi 21 yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki ER6 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki ER6?

The Kawasaki ER6 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.9% across 28,470 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 ER6 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (288 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (133), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (96). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Kawasaki ER6 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Kawasaki ER6 owner drives around 979 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 ER6 models stay on UK roads for around 21 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 ER6 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki ER6 reliable?
Based on 28,470 MOT tests, the Kawasaki ER6 has a 85.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki ER6?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki ER6 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki ER6 does around 979 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki ER6 last?
Most Kawasaki ER6 models stay on UK roads for around 21 years based on our analysis of 2,580 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki ER6?
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 ER6?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki ER6 is 2016 with a 88.8% pass rate across 152 tests.