Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 car check
Is the Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 reliable? We analysed 2,354 real MOT tests across 240 vehicles to find out.
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The Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Ex 500-D5.
Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki Ex 500-D5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 229 | 78.2% | 16,576 | 24,806 | 34,487 |
| 1998 | 2,084 | 80.8% | 13,910 | 21,631 | 30,764 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 Last?
Based on 240 Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 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 Ex 500-D5
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.8% MOT pass rate from 2,084 tests
78.2% MOT pass rate from 229 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.8% across 2,084 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 THIS CAR | 80.5% | 2,354 | 21,749 mi | 28 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 |
| Fiat Panda Active | 75.4% | 2,267 | 66,377 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 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 Ex 500-D5Should you buy a used Kawasaki Ex 500-D5?
The Kawasaki Ex 500-D5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.5% across 2,354 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 Ex 500-D5 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (39 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (33), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (26). 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 Ex 500-D5 owner drives around 729 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 Ex 500-D5 models stay on UK roads for around 28 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.