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Kawasaki EX500-D7 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki EX500-D7 car check

Is the Kawasaki EX500-D7 reliable? We analysed 4,825 real MOT tests across 445 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,825 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
82.1%
Typical Mileage
17,478mi
Annual Mileage
806mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Kawasaki EX500-D7 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki EX500-D7.

Kawasaki EX500-D7 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki EX500-D7. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki EX500-D7 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki EX500-D7 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

83.1%
2003
83.2%
2002
82.8%
2001
80.8%
2000
82%
1999

Kawasaki EX500-D7 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki EX500-D7 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 95
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 91
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 55
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 41
Drive chain excessively loose 41
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 39
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 38
Drive chain sprocket carrier worn to excess 36
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 35
suspension movement is excessively stiff 30

Kawasaki EX500-D7 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki EX500-D7 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
212 mi/yr
Typical
806 mi/yr
Average
1,602 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,060 mi/yr

Kawasaki EX500-D7 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki EX500-D7 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 148 83.1% 8,039 16,635 26,484
2002 819 83.2% 10,064 16,343 24,414
2001 1,678 82.8% 8,702 16,023 25,935
2000 1,985 80.8% 11,311 19,019 27,814
1999 150 82.0% 13,396 18,357 23,527

How Long Does a Kawasaki EX500-D7 Last?

Based on 445 Kawasaki EX500-D7 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
16.1 years
Median
16.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Kawasaki EX500-D7 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki EX500-D7 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
17,478 mi
75th Percentile
26,625 mi
95th Percentile
41,016 mi
Max Recorded
136,166 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki EX500-D7

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

Best year
2002

83.2% MOT pass rate from 819 tests

Year to avoid
2000

80.8% MOT pass rate from 1,985 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki EX500-D7 is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.2% across 819 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki EX500-D7 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki EX500-D7 THIS CAR 82.1% 4,825 17,478 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
Piaggio Fly 125 76.6% 8,326 13,292 mi 21 yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki EX500-D7 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki EX500-D7?

The Kawasaki EX500-D7 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.1% across 4,825 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-D7 are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (95 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (91), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (55). 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-D7 owner drives around 806 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-D7 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-D7 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki EX500-D7 reliable?
Based on 4,825 MOT tests, the Kawasaki EX500-D7 has a 82.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki EX500-D7?
The most common MOT failures are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki EX500-D7 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki EX500-D7 does around 806 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki EX500-D7 last?
Most Kawasaki EX500-D7 models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 445 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki EX500-D7?
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-D7?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki EX500-D7 is 2002 with a 83.2% pass rate across 819 tests.