Kawasaki GT550 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki GT550 car check
Is the Kawasaki GT550 reliable? We analysed 15,005 real MOT tests across 2,006 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki GT550? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki GT550 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki GT550.
Kawasaki GT550 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki GT550. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki GT550 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki GT550 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki GT550 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki GT550 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki GT550 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki GT550 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki GT550 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki GT550 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 84 | 81.0% | 43,300 | 60,240 | 75,758 |
| 2001 | 441 | 82.8% | 19,096 | 31,678 | 48,807 |
| 2000 | 622 | 81.7% | 17,305 | 26,917 | 42,390 |
| 1999 | 680 | 82.6% | 15,534 | 26,686 | 45,952 |
| 1998 | 431 | 79.6% | 28,119 | 40,737 | 51,696 |
| 1997 | 648 | 79.9% | 20,654 | 29,544 | 42,765 |
| 1996 | 631 | 80.3% | 19,112 | 36,834 | 50,880 |
| 1995 | 519 | 83.8% | 15,170 | 26,186 | 41,781 |
| 1994 | 839 | 80.2% | 22,691 | 34,920 | 46,295 |
| 1993 | 1,071 | 81.8% | 22,061 | 32,890 | 50,926 |
| 1992 | 1,566 | 81.4% | 21,814 | 34,624 | 47,648 |
| 1991 | 1,708 | 79.4% | 21,772 | 33,593 | 49,376 |
| 1990 | 1,771 | 79.9% | 24,683 | 35,870 | 49,128 |
| 1989 | 1,482 | 81.0% | 29,695 | 41,514 | 52,306 |
| 1988 | 996 | 80.4% | 25,790 | 35,457 | 44,118 |
| 1987 | 514 | 80.5% | 28,561 | 42,373 | 50,797 |
| 1986 | 155 | 76.8% | 26,072 | 39,903 | 50,653 |
| 1985 | 168 | 78.0% | 27,774 | 43,096 | 62,458 |
| 1984 | 137 | 81.0% | 36,588 | 46,771 | 56,075 |
| 1983 | 232 | 81.9% | 21,998 | 35,847 | 59,156 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki GT550 Last?
Based on 2,006 Kawasaki GT550 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki GT550 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki GT550 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 GT550
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.8% MOT pass rate from 519 tests
47.8% MOT pass rate from 159 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki GT550 is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.8% across 519 tests. The 1967 model year has the lowest pass rate at 47.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki GT550 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki GT550 THIS CAR | 80.2% | 15,005 | 35,189 mi | 59 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 |
| Maxus Deliver 9 | 72.2% | 7,861 | 49,894 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki GT550 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki GT550 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 GT550Should you buy a used Kawasaki GT550?
The Kawasaki GT550 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.2% across 15,005 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 GT550 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (168 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (164), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (153). 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 GT550 owner drives around 707 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 GT550 models stay on UK roads for around 59 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.