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Kawasaki KZ750 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki KZ750 car check

Is the Kawasaki KZ750 reliable? We analysed 489 real MOT tests across 102 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 489 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
83.8%
Typical Mileage
23,774mi
Annual Mileage
266mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
45yrs

The Kawasaki KZ750 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, steering headbearing has excessive free play and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki KZ750.

Kawasaki KZ750 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki KZ750. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki KZ750 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki KZ750 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

83.2%
1982
77.3%
1981

Kawasaki KZ750 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki KZ750 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 6
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 4
reflector on motorcycle missing 3
Floor brake test indicates a binding brake 3
wheel bearings have excessive free play 3
Headlamp aim too low 3
Direction indicator not working 3
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 3
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 3
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling 3

Kawasaki KZ750 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki KZ750 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
77 mi/yr
Typical
266 mi/yr
Average
757 mi/yr
Heavy usage
625 mi/yr

Kawasaki KZ750 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki KZ750 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1982 95 83.2% 23,696 34,392 43,464
1981 66 77.3% 9,600 15,986 32,241

How Long Does a Kawasaki KZ750 Last?

Based on 102 Kawasaki KZ750 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
28.9 years
Median
31.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
45 years

Kawasaki KZ750 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki KZ750 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
23,774 mi
75th Percentile
35,067 mi
95th Percentile
50,036 mi
Max Recorded
61,934 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki KZ750

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

Best year
1982

83.2% MOT pass rate from 95 tests

Year to avoid
1981

77.3% MOT pass rate from 66 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki KZ750 is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.2% across 95 tests. The 1981 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki KZ750 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki KZ750 THIS CAR 83.8% 489 23,774 mi 45 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
Lexmoto Hawk 125 Xgj 125-28 68.8% 519 5,013 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki KZ750 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Kawasaki KZ750 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.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki KZ750?

The Kawasaki KZ750 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.8% across 489 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 KZ750 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (6 recorded failures), steering headbearing has excessive free play (4), and reflector on motorcycle missing (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.

A typical Kawasaki KZ750 owner drives around 266 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 KZ750 models stay on UK roads for around 45 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 KZ750 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki KZ750 reliable?
Based on 489 MOT tests, the Kawasaki KZ750 has a 83.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki KZ750?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, steering headbearing has excessive free play, and reflector on motorcycle missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki KZ750 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki KZ750 does around 266 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki KZ750 last?
Most Kawasaki KZ750 models stay on UK roads for around 45 years based on our analysis of 102 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki KZ750?
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 KZ750?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki KZ750 is 1982 with a 83.2% pass rate across 95 tests.