Kawasaki GPZ500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki GPZ500 car check
Is the Kawasaki GPZ500 reliable? We analysed 2,643 real MOT tests across 282 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki GPZ500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki GPZ500 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 GPZ500.
Kawasaki GPZ500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki GPZ500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki GPZ500 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki GPZ500 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki GPZ500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki GPZ500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki GPZ500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki GPZ500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki GPZ500 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki GPZ500 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 63 | 74.6% | 10,692 | 17,887 | 26,302 |
| 2002 | 115 | 71.3% | 16,736 | 21,017 | 28,365 |
| 2001 | 131 | 78.6% | 7,167 | 18,890 | 26,667 |
| 2000 | 106 | 76.4% | 9,583 | 15,816 | 20,913 |
| 1999 | 69 | 79.7% | 11,406 | 17,569 | 23,674 |
| 1997 | 55 | 78.2% | 19,054 | 25,914 | 30,865 |
| 1996 | 340 | 81.2% | 17,202 | 24,446 | 37,195 |
| 1995 | 505 | 78.0% | 17,971 | 27,771 | 36,645 |
| 1994 | 338 | 83.1% | 17,490 | 24,357 | 35,888 |
| 1993 | 75 | 76.0% | 19,756 | 36,446 | 54,811 |
| 1992 | 170 | 76.5% | 22,162 | 29,414 | 36,147 |
| 1991 | 60 | 76.7% | 31,290 | 36,886 | 43,474 |
| 1990 | 211 | 78.2% | 24,206 | 32,954 | 36,613 |
| 1989 | 244 | 79.9% | 21,918 | 29,639 | 43,294 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki GPZ500 Last?
Based on 282 Kawasaki GPZ500 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki GPZ500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki GPZ500 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 GPZ500
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.1% MOT pass rate from 338 tests
71.3% MOT pass rate from 115 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki GPZ500 is 1994, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.1% across 338 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki GPZ500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki GPZ500 THIS CAR | 78.5% | 2,643 | 26,427 mi | 37 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 |
| Honda Afs | 84.4% | 2,964 | 10,328 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki GPZ500 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki GPZ500 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 GPZ500Should you buy a used Kawasaki GPZ500?
The Kawasaki GPZ500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.5% across 2,643 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 GPZ500 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (50 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (43), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (42). 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 GPZ500 owner drives around 589 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 GPZ500 models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.