Kawasaki KE175 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki KE175 car check
Is the Kawasaki KE175 reliable? We analysed 673 real MOT tests across 159 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki KE175? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki KE175 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, horn not working and direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki KE175.
Kawasaki KE175 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki KE175. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki KE175 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki KE175 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki KE175 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki KE175 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki KE175 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki KE175 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki KE175 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki KE175 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 55 | 89.1% | 13,450 | 21,646 | 23,479 |
| 1981 | 78 | 87.2% | 7,781 | 11,720 | 18,168 |
| 1980 | 157 | 83.4% | 6,183 | 11,865 | 16,091 |
| 1979 | 89 | 83.1% | 11,308 | 17,731 | 21,954 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki KE175 Last?
Based on 159 Kawasaki KE175 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki KE175 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki KE175 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 KE175
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.1% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
83.1% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki KE175 is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.1% across 55 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki KE175 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki KE175 THIS CAR | 85.6% | 673 | 10,864 mi | 47 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 |
| Vauxhall Vivaro Life Elite S/s Auto | 83.6% | 865 | 35,173 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki KE175 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki KE175 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 KE175Should you buy a used Kawasaki KE175?
The Kawasaki KE175 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.6% across 673 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 KE175 are reflector on motorcycle missing (7 recorded failures), horn not working (7), and direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp (6). 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 KE175 owner drives around 124 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 KE175 models stay on UK roads for around 47 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.