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Kawasaki Kle 650 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki Kle 650 car check

Is the Kawasaki Kle 650 reliable? We analysed 1,225 real MOT tests across 103 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,225 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
87.7%
Typical Mileage
16,183mi
Annual Mileage
1,153mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
19yrs

The Kawasaki Kle 650 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, drive chain excessively loose and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Kle 650.

Kawasaki Kle 650 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki Kle 650. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki Kle 650 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki Kle 650 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

81.3%
2011
90.4%
2010
90.8%
2009
84.5%
2008
87%
2007

Kawasaki Kle 650 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki Kle 650 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 12
Drive chain excessively loose 4
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 3
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 3

Kawasaki Kle 650 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Kawasaki Kle 650 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 9
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 4

Kawasaki Kle 650 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki Kle 650 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
415 mi/yr
Typical
1,153 mi/yr
Average
1,994 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,611 mi/yr

Kawasaki Kle 650 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki Kle 650 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2011 96 81.3% 14,737 21,742 40,467
2010 209 90.4% 8,633 13,419 18,467
2009 218 90.8% 8,876 16,598 25,388
2008 193 84.5% 10,120 16,213 23,785
2007 437 87.0% 9,920 18,469 30,242

How Long Does a Kawasaki Kle 650 Last?

Based on 103 Kawasaki Kle 650 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.6 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
19 years

Kawasaki Kle 650 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki Kle 650 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
16,183 mi
75th Percentile
26,036 mi
95th Percentile
44,615 mi
Max Recorded
102,830 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki Kle 650

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

Best year
2009

90.8% MOT pass rate from 218 tests

Year to avoid
2011

81.3% MOT pass rate from 96 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Kle 650 is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.8% across 218 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki Kle 650 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki Kle 650 THIS CAR 87.7% 1,225 16,183 mi 19 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
Jaguar X-type Classic D 67.3% 507 124,384 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Kle 650 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki Kle 650?

The Kawasaki Kle 650 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.7% across 1,225 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 Kle 650 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (12 recorded failures), drive chain excessively loose (4), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (3). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Kawasaki Kle 650 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Kawasaki Kle 650 owner drives around 1,153 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 Kle 650 models stay on UK roads for around 19 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 Kle 650 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki Kle 650 reliable?
Based on 1,225 MOT tests, the Kawasaki Kle 650 has a 87.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki Kle 650?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, drive chain excessively loose, and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki Kle 650 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki Kle 650 does around 1,153 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki Kle 650 last?
Most Kawasaki Kle 650 models stay on UK roads for around 19 years based on our analysis of 103 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki Kle 650?
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 Kle 650?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki Kle 650 is 2009 with a 90.8% pass rate across 218 tests.