Kawasaki KE100 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki KE100 car check
Is the Kawasaki KE100 reliable? We analysed 1,284 real MOT tests across 270 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki KE100? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki KE100 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki KE100.
Kawasaki KE100 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki KE100. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki KE100 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki KE100 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki KE100 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki KE100 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki KE100 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki KE100 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki KE100 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki KE100 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 97 | 73.2% | 2,754 | 5,292 | 8,096 |
| 1998 | 186 | 75.3% | 2,938 | 7,159 | 9,312 |
| 1997 | 56 | 69.6% | 1,064 | 4,553 | 8,305 |
| 1996 | 56 | 76.8% | 2,854 | 5,168 | 9,872 |
| 1995 | 56 | 80.4% | 3,972 | 8,386 | 9,278 |
| 1993 | 61 | 82.0% | 7,982 | 9,476 | 14,296 |
| 1992 | 112 | 83.0% | 5,790 | 8,596 | 14,536 |
| 1991 | 130 | 75.4% | 2,980 | 7,594 | 13,377 |
| 1990 | 127 | 72.4% | 7,986 | 10,321 | 13,030 |
| 1989 | 110 | 76.4% | 6,408 | 10,078 | 16,501 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki KE100 Last?
Based on 270 Kawasaki KE100 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki KE100 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki KE100 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 KE100
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.0% MOT pass rate from 112 tests
69.6% MOT pass rate from 56 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki KE100 is 1992, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.0% across 112 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki KE100 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki KE100 THIS CAR | 77.9% | 1,284 | 7,983 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 |
| Bsa Golden Flash | 92.5% | 695 | 12,577 mi | 72 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki KE100 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki KE100 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 KE100Should you buy a used Kawasaki KE100?
The Kawasaki KE100 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.9% across 1,284 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 KE100 are reflector on motorcycle missing (26 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (26), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (25). 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 KE100 owner drives around 121 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 KE100 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.