Kawasaki EX500-A1 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki EX500-A1 car check
Is the Kawasaki EX500-A1 reliable? We analysed 588 real MOT tests across 106 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki EX500-A1? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki EX500-A1 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki EX500-A1.
Kawasaki EX500-A1 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki EX500-A1. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki EX500-A1 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki EX500-A1 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki EX500-A1 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki EX500-A1 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki EX500-A1 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki EX500-A1 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki EX500-A1 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki EX500-A1 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 251 | 72.5% | 28,333 | 40,385 | 48,058 |
| 1987 | 317 | 77.9% | 26,338 | 36,755 | 49,068 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki EX500-A1 Last?
Based on 106 Kawasaki EX500-A1 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki EX500-A1 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki EX500-A1 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 EX500-A1
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.9% MOT pass rate from 317 tests
72.5% MOT pass rate from 251 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki EX500-A1 is 1987, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.9% across 317 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki EX500-A1 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki EX500-A1 THIS CAR | 75.9% | 588 | 38,323 mi | 39 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 |
| Vauxhall Astra Club Cdti 100 | 74.3% | 1,110 | 132,582 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki EX500-A1 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki EX500-A1 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 EX500-A1Should you buy a used Kawasaki EX500-A1?
The Kawasaki EX500-A1 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.9% across 588 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 EX500-A1 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (24 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort (9), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (8). 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 EX500-A1 owner drives around 470 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 EX500-A1 models stay on UK roads for around 39 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.