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Kawasaki Klx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki Klx car check

Is the Kawasaki Klx reliable? We analysed 3,356 real MOT tests across 600 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,356 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.0%
Typical Mileage
5,455mi
Annual Mileage
379mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
30yrs

The Kawasaki Klx is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre is unsuitable, reflector on motorcycle missing and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Klx.

Kawasaki Klx Number Plates

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

Kawasaki Klx MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

78%
2017
82.1%
2016
84.4%
2015
81.7%
2014
80%
2013
78.8%
2012
82.6%
2011
75.6%
2010
86.4%
2009
74%
2005
78.3%
2003
80.3%
2002
78.2%
2000
82%
1998
80.6%
1996

Kawasaki Klx Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Tyre is unsuitable 26
reflector on motorcycle missing 24
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 23

Kawasaki Klx Common Faults & Problems

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

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 35
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 21

Kawasaki Klx Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
117 mi/yr
Typical
379 mi/yr
Average
969 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,209 mi/yr

Kawasaki Klx MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2017 277 78.0% 3,748 7,131 9,855
2016 719 82.1% 2,830 5,642 10,924
2015 629 84.4% 2,669 5,071 8,588
2014 356 81.7% 2,879 5,948 10,502
2013 125 80.0% 2,308 5,028 8,070
2012 113 78.8% 1,949 4,758 12,139
2011 92 82.6% 3,036 8,238 15,573
2010 123 75.6% 2,338 4,522 9,765
2009 110 86.4% 2,066 3,628 5,736
2005 50 74.0% 2,916 4,951 8,638
2003 120 78.3% 2,437 3,973 11,750
2002 61 80.3% 1,287 1,524 3,190
2000 124 78.2% 1,844 5,283 8,512
1998 61 82.0% 4,230 13,953 15,210
1996 67 80.6% 9,369 13,187 15,373

How Long Does a Kawasaki Klx Last?

Based on 600 Kawasaki Klx vehicles on UK roads.

Average
9.2 years
Median
9.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
30 years

Kawasaki Klx Mileage Distribution

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

Median
5,455 mi
75th Percentile
10,150 mi
95th Percentile
20,101 mi
Max Recorded
60,000 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki Klx

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

Best year
2009

86.4% MOT pass rate from 110 tests

Year to avoid
2005

74.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Klx is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.4% across 110 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki Klx Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki Klx THIS CAR 81.0% 3,356 5,455 mi 30 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
Daimler Sp 250 85.6% 5,091 38,437 mi 66 yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Klx trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki Klx?

The Kawasaki Klx has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.0% across 3,356 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 Klx are tyre is unsuitable (26 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (24), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (23). 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 Klx 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 Klx owner drives around 379 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 Klx models stay on UK roads for around 30 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 Klx — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki Klx reliable?
Based on 3,356 MOT tests, the Kawasaki Klx has a 81.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki Klx?
The most common MOT failures are tyre is unsuitable, reflector on motorcycle missing, and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki Klx do per year?
The typical Kawasaki Klx does around 379 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki Klx last?
Most Kawasaki Klx models stay on UK roads for around 30 years based on our analysis of 600 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki Klx?
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 Klx?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki Klx is 2009 with a 86.4% pass rate across 110 tests.