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Kawasaki H2 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki H2 car check

Is the Kawasaki H2 reliable? We analysed 1,063 real MOT tests across 241 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,063 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
92.0%
Typical Mileage
10,574mi
Annual Mileage
201mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
54yrs

The Kawasaki H2 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include direction indicator not working, wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling and roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%.. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki H2.

Kawasaki H2 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki H2. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki H2 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki H2 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

90.3%
2013
91.8%
2012
92%
1975
89%
1974
95.9%
1973
92.2%
1972

Kawasaki H2 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki H2 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Direction indicator not working 5
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling 4
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. 4
Footrest insecure 3
Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel 3
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 3
wheel bearings have excessive free play 2
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 2
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 2

Kawasaki H2 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki H2 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
69 mi/yr
Typical
201 mi/yr
Average
502 mi/yr
Heavy usage
528 mi/yr

Kawasaki H2 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki H2 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2013 62 90.3% 605 11,529 15,100
2012 73 91.8% 6,632 9,702 14,310
1975 88 92.0% 3,931 10,562 19,046
1974 73 89.0% 5,307 10,944 15,713
1973 74 95.9% 5,175 11,347 14,972
1972 128 92.2% 4,663 13,645 22,294

How Long Does a Kawasaki H2 Last?

Based on 241 Kawasaki H2 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
21.0 years
Median
16.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
54 years

Kawasaki H2 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki H2 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
10,574 mi
75th Percentile
15,754 mi
95th Percentile
26,557 mi
Max Recorded
53,472 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki H2

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

Best year
1973

95.9% MOT pass rate from 74 tests

Year to avoid
1974

89.0% MOT pass rate from 73 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki H2 is 1973, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.9% across 74 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 89.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki H2 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki H2 THIS CAR 92.0% 1,063 10,574 mi 54 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
Bullit Hunt S 125 70.4% 405 4,919 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki H2 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki H2?

The Kawasaki H2 has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.0% across 1,063 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 H2 are direction indicator not working (5 recorded failures), wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling (4), and roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (4). 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 H2 owner drives around 201 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 H2 models stay on UK roads for around 54 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 H2 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki H2 reliable?
Based on 1,063 MOT tests, the Kawasaki H2 has a 92.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki H2?
The most common MOT failures are direction indicator not working, wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling, and roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%.. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki H2 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki H2 does around 201 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki H2 last?
Most Kawasaki H2 models stay on UK roads for around 54 years based on our analysis of 241 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki H2?
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 H2?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki H2 is 1973 with a 95.9% pass rate across 74 tests.