Kawasaki KLR600 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki KLR600 car check
Is the Kawasaki KLR600 reliable? We analysed 1,268 real MOT tests across 211 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki KLR600? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki KLR600 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on and drive chain sprocket worn to excess. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki KLR600.
Kawasaki KLR600 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki KLR600. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki KLR600 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki KLR600 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki KLR600 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki KLR600 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki KLR600 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki KLR600 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki KLR600 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki KLR600 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 72 | 75.0% | 27,216 | 39,672 | 47,126 |
| 2003 | 68 | 86.8% | 23,092 | 39,546 | 42,880 |
| 2002 | 65 | 75.4% | 9,822 | 22,167 | 25,876 |
| 1999 | 54 | 74.1% | 8,208 | 22,542 | 46,714 |
| 1990 | 74 | 82.4% | 16,506 | 20,448 | 26,056 |
| 1989 | 125 | 82.4% | 12,623 | 23,440 | 26,161 |
| 1988 | 76 | 81.6% | 18,392 | 25,003 | 26,902 |
| 1986 | 138 | 81.9% | 19,397 | 29,827 | 39,911 |
| 1985 | 159 | 78.6% | 22,398 | 31,586 | 45,662 |
| 1984 | 105 | 81.9% | 16,587 | 29,148 | 36,546 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki KLR600 Last?
Based on 211 Kawasaki KLR600 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki KLR600 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki KLR600 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 KLR600
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.8% MOT pass rate from 68 tests
74.1% MOT pass rate from 54 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki KLR600 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.8% across 68 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki KLR600 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki KLR600 THIS CAR | 80.7% | 1,268 | 26,869 mi | 42 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 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan SE TDI 4MOTION 140 | 83% | 1,027 | 115,205 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki KLR600 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki KLR600 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 KLR600Should you buy a used Kawasaki KLR600?
The Kawasaki KLR600 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.7% across 1,268 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 KLR600 are reflector on motorcycle missing (14 recorded failures), position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (11), and drive chain sprocket worn to excess (10). 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 KLR600 owner drives around 366 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 KLR600 models stay on UK roads for around 42 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.