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Kawasaki KH100 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki KH100 car check

Is the Kawasaki KH100 reliable? We analysed 716 real MOT tests across 181 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 716 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.3%
Typical Mileage
13,904mi
Annual Mileage
130mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
44yrs

The Kawasaki KH100 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include direction indicators not working, direction indicators affected by the operation of another lamp and horn not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki KH100.

Kawasaki KH100 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki KH100. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki KH100 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki KH100 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79.1%
1992
74.3%
1990
90.1%
1989
72.5%
1988
84%
1987
84.6%
1985
82.8%
1982

Kawasaki KH100 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki KH100 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Direction indicators not working 16
Direction indicators affected by the operation of another lamp 14
Horn not working 13
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 12
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam 9
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 9
Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute 7
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 7
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 7
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute 7

Kawasaki KH100 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki KH100 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
34 mi/yr
Typical
130 mi/yr
Average
836 mi/yr
Heavy usage
575 mi/yr

Kawasaki KH100 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki KH100 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1992 67 79.1% 8,520 16,157 22,318
1990 101 74.3% 11,709 13,680 22,059
1989 71 90.1% 13,789 18,562 20,190
1988 69 72.5% 7,871 17,173 23,303
1987 81 84.0% 6,417 13,288 21,593
1985 52 84.6% 11,552 17,420 29,608
1982 58 82.8% 12,665 13,228 15,654

How Long Does a Kawasaki KH100 Last?

Based on 181 Kawasaki KH100 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
26.2 years
Median
26.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
44 years

Kawasaki KH100 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki KH100 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
13,904 mi
75th Percentile
20,452 mi
95th Percentile
33,828 mi
Max Recorded
99,912 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki KH100

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

Best year
1989

90.1% MOT pass rate from 71 tests

Year to avoid
1988

72.5% MOT pass rate from 69 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki KH100 is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.1% across 71 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki KH100 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki KH100 THIS CAR 79.3% 716 13,904 mi 44 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
Peugeot 5008 Allure Premium B-hdi Ss A 88% 1,333 34,566 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki KH100 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Kawasaki KH100 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.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki KH100?

The Kawasaki KH100 has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.3% across 716 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 KH100 are direction indicators not working (16 recorded failures), direction indicators affected by the operation of another lamp (14), and horn not working (13). 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 KH100 owner drives around 130 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 KH100 models stay on UK roads for around 44 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 KH100 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki KH100 reliable?
Based on 716 MOT tests, the Kawasaki KH100 has a 79.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki KH100?
The most common MOT failures are direction indicators not working, direction indicators affected by the operation of another lamp, and horn not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki KH100 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki KH100 does around 130 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki KH100 last?
Most Kawasaki KH100 models stay on UK roads for around 44 years based on our analysis of 181 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki KH100?
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 KH100?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki KH100 is 1989 with a 90.1% pass rate across 71 tests.