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Kawasaki EX500-D6 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki EX500-D6 car check

Is the Kawasaki EX500-D6 reliable? We analysed 2,574 real MOT tests across 249 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,574 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.5%
Typical Mileage
19,908mi
Annual Mileage
789mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Kawasaki EX500-D6 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 drive chain excessively loose. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki EX500-D6.

Kawasaki EX500-D6 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki EX500-D6. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki EX500-D6 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki EX500-D6 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

82.7%
2000
79.4%
1999

Kawasaki EX500-D6 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki EX500-D6 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 47
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 38
Drive chain excessively loose 32
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 27
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 27
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 27
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 25
Drive chain worn to excess 20
Drive chain sprocket carrier worn to excess 20
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 18

Kawasaki EX500-D6 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki EX500-D6 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
213 mi/yr
Typical
789 mi/yr
Average
1,474 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,991 mi/yr

Kawasaki EX500-D6 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki EX500-D6 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 75 82.7% 16,620 27,836 50,796
1999 2,484 79.4% 12,681 19,790 27,802

How Long Does a Kawasaki EX500-D6 Last?

Based on 249 Kawasaki EX500-D6 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
17.5 years
Median
18.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Kawasaki EX500-D6 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki EX500-D6 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
19,908 mi
75th Percentile
28,038 mi
95th Percentile
44,797 mi
Max Recorded
318,596 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki EX500-D6

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

Best year
2000

82.7% MOT pass rate from 75 tests

Year to avoid
1999

79.4% MOT pass rate from 2,484 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki EX500-D6 is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.7% across 75 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.4% — 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-D6 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki EX500-D6 THIS CAR 79.5% 2,574 19,908 mi 27 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
Audi A3 Sport 35 TFSI MHEV S-a 91.4% 3,355 26,201 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki EX500-D6 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki EX500-D6?

The Kawasaki EX500-D6 has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.5% across 2,574 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-D6 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (47 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (38), and drive chain excessively loose (32). 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-D6 owner drives around 789 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-D6 models stay on UK roads for around 27 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 EX500-D6 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki EX500-D6 reliable?
Based on 2,574 MOT tests, the Kawasaki EX500-D6 has a 79.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki EX500-D6?
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 drive chain excessively loose. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki EX500-D6 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki EX500-D6 does around 789 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki EX500-D6 last?
Most Kawasaki EX500-D6 models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 249 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki EX500-D6?
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 EX500-D6?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki EX500-D6 is 2000 with a 82.7% pass rate across 75 tests.