Kawasaki KH250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki KH250 car check
Is the Kawasaki KH250 reliable? We analysed 1,987 real MOT tests across 452 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki KH250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki KH250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, footrest insecure and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki KH250.
Kawasaki KH250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki KH250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki KH250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki KH250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki KH250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki KH250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki KH250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki KH250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki KH250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki KH250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 121 | 89.3% | 15,413 | 20,742 | 29,597 |
| 1981 | 65 | 87.7% | 12,409 | 18,174 | 21,301 |
| 1980 | 265 | 90.6% | 13,460 | 20,046 | 26,533 |
| 1979 | 252 | 84.9% | 11,731 | 18,274 | 22,418 |
| 1978 | 328 | 86.3% | 9,665 | 13,360 | 18,396 |
| 1977 | 454 | 89.9% | 11,279 | 18,669 | 24,042 |
| 1976 | 330 | 88.8% | 11,238 | 18,031 | 24,435 |
| 1975 | 67 | 89.6% | 19,444 | 22,652 | 26,952 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki KH250 Last?
Based on 452 Kawasaki KH250 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki KH250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki KH250 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 KH250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.6% MOT pass rate from 265 tests
84.9% MOT pass rate from 252 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki KH250 is 1980, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.6% across 265 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki KH250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki KH250 THIS CAR | 88.4% | 1,987 | 17,902 mi | 51 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 |
| Subaru Legacy Gls AWD | 69% | 790 | 110,513 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki KH250 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki KH250 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 KH250Should you buy a used Kawasaki KH250?
The Kawasaki KH250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.4% across 1,987 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 KH250 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (10 recorded failures), footrest insecure (8), and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (7). 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 KH250 owner drives around 139 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 KH250 models stay on UK roads for around 51 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.