Kawasaki KLE500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki KLE500 car check
Is the Kawasaki KLE500 reliable? We analysed 9,168 real MOT tests across 973 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki KLE500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki KLE500 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki KLE500.
Kawasaki KLE500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki KLE500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki KLE500 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki KLE500 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki KLE500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki KLE500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki KLE500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki KLE500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki KLE500 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki KLE500 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 449 | 83.7% | 7,304 | 13,643 | 20,647 |
| 2007 | 548 | 85.6% | 6,423 | 11,905 | 19,184 |
| 2006 | 994 | 85.2% | 8,581 | 14,863 | 21,589 |
| 2005 | 2,903 | 84.3% | 6,826 | 12,072 | 20,366 |
| 2003 | 59 | 81.4% | 11,435 | 20,052 | 35,030 |
| 2002 | 54 | 75.9% | 27,841 | 31,230 | 40,710 |
| 2000 | 165 | 85.5% | 9,459 | 15,075 | 22,137 |
| 1999 | 232 | 83.6% | 13,120 | 19,278 | 26,928 |
| 1998 | 200 | 85.5% | 11,345 | 17,899 | 31,696 |
| 1997 | 167 | 79.0% | 15,820 | 19,205 | 27,159 |
| 1996 | 321 | 80.7% | 20,385 | 26,192 | 33,197 |
| 1995 | 482 | 81.5% | 16,992 | 23,236 | 31,822 |
| 1994 | 507 | 84.6% | 14,974 | 25,301 | 33,805 |
| 1993 | 574 | 81.5% | 20,323 | 26,205 | 35,815 |
| 1992 | 634 | 79.2% | 19,014 | 27,951 | 37,253 |
| 1991 | 757 | 79.1% | 21,330 | 29,091 | 39,128 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki KLE500 Last?
Based on 973 Kawasaki KLE500 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki KLE500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki KLE500 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 KLE500
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.6% MOT pass rate from 548 tests
75.9% MOT pass rate from 54 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki KLE500 is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.6% across 548 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki KLE500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki KLE500 THIS CAR | 83.1% | 9,168 | 18,343 mi | 35 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 Corsa Breeze | 77.1% | 3,173 | 80,637 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki KLE500 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki KLE500 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 KLE500Should you buy a used Kawasaki KLE500?
The Kawasaki KLE500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.1% across 9,168 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 KLE500 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (152 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (147), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (66). 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 KLE500 owner drives around 764 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 KLE500 models stay on UK roads for around 35 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.