Kawasaki KH400 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki KH400 car check
Is the Kawasaki KH400 reliable? We analysed 1,008 real MOT tests across 207 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki KH400? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki KH400 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include direction indicators not working, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam and horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki KH400.
Kawasaki KH400 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki KH400. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki KH400 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki KH400 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki KH400 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki KH400 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki KH400 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki KH400 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki KH400 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki KH400 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 85 | 92.9% | 11,130 | 12,753 | 19,050 |
| 1979 | 113 | 90.3% | 10,500 | 17,061 | 19,562 |
| 1978 | 156 | 89.1% | 13,131 | 15,902 | 22,883 |
| 1977 | 175 | 88.0% | 12,662 | 18,590 | 25,487 |
| 1976 | 209 | 90.0% | 10,736 | 17,937 | 22,850 |
| 1975 | 56 | 89.3% | 14,521 | 19,076 | 25,049 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki KH400 Last?
Based on 207 Kawasaki KH400 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki KH400 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki KH400 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 KH400
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.9% MOT pass rate from 85 tests
88.0% MOT pass rate from 175 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki KH400 is 1980, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.9% across 85 tests. The 1977 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki KH400 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki KH400 THIS CAR | 88.9% | 1,008 | 16,011 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 |
| Kia Ceed Gt-line CRDI Isg S-a | 83.7% | 840 | 39,365 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki KH400 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki KH400 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 KH400Should you buy a used Kawasaki KH400?
The Kawasaki KH400 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.9% across 1,008 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 KH400 are direction indicators not working (7 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (6), and horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (5). 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 KH400 owner drives around 152 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 KH400 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.