Kawasaki GPZ500S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki GPZ500S car check
Is the Kawasaki GPZ500S reliable? We analysed 24,333 real MOT tests across 3,191 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki GPZ500S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki GPZ500S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki GPZ500S.
Kawasaki GPZ500S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki GPZ500S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki GPZ500S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki GPZ500S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki GPZ500S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki GPZ500S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki GPZ500S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki GPZ500S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki GPZ500S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki GPZ500S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 180 | 82.8% | 6,061 | 18,119 | 26,632 |
| 2004 | 383 | 86.2% | 7,070 | 13,651 | 21,382 |
| 2003 | 841 | 82.0% | 8,390 | 15,445 | 24,198 |
| 2002 | 1,401 | 83.5% | 9,908 | 16,581 | 24,086 |
| 2001 | 1,425 | 83.3% | 8,999 | 15,200 | 23,833 |
| 2000 | 1,861 | 80.2% | 12,089 | 18,498 | 27,880 |
| 1999 | 1,873 | 80.5% | 13,914 | 20,700 | 29,000 |
| 1998 | 1,972 | 79.0% | 13,543 | 21,203 | 30,410 |
| 1997 | 1,595 | 79.5% | 14,326 | 21,695 | 30,879 |
| 1996 | 2,475 | 78.5% | 17,054 | 24,406 | 33,264 |
| 1995 | 2,618 | 78.0% | 17,522 | 23,912 | 32,108 |
| 1994 | 2,071 | 76.9% | 19,464 | 28,719 | 37,832 |
| 1993 | 1,031 | 78.3% | 19,916 | 27,084 | 34,632 |
| 1992 | 902 | 80.4% | 19,155 | 27,464 | 36,784 |
| 1991 | 933 | 74.6% | 20,929 | 28,990 | 36,466 |
| 1990 | 1,139 | 78.0% | 22,336 | 30,629 | 38,604 |
| 1989 | 906 | 76.7% | 24,659 | 33,703 | 41,502 |
| 1988 | 350 | 75.7% | 29,299 | 37,774 | 45,873 |
| 1987 | 283 | 75.3% | 20,260 | 29,120 | 42,602 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki GPZ500S Last?
Based on 3,191 Kawasaki GPZ500S vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki GPZ500S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki GPZ500S 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 GPZ500S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.2% MOT pass rate from 383 tests
74.6% MOT pass rate from 933 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki GPZ500S is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.2% across 383 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki GPZ500S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki GPZ500S THIS CAR | 79.3% | 24,333 | 23,283 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 |
| Yamaha RD350 | 87.9% | 22,191 | 23,349 mi | 51 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki GPZ500S trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki GPZ500S 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 GPZ500SShould you buy a used Kawasaki GPZ500S?
The Kawasaki GPZ500S has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.3% across 24,333 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 GPZ500S are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (403 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (383), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (364). 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 GPZ500S owner drives around 713 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 GPZ500S 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.