Kawasaki Trike Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki Trike car check
Is the Kawasaki Trike reliable? We analysed 1,458 real MOT tests across 152 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki Trike? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki Trike is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector missing, stop lamp not working and brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Trike.
Kawasaki Trike Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki Trike. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki Trike MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki Trike to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki Trike Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki Trike fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki Trike Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki Trike owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki Trike MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki Trike year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 65 | 87.7% | 10,412 | 19,023 | 25,573 |
| 1996 | 58 | 79.3% | 12,690 | 18,254 | 34,946 |
| 1995 | 74 | 66.2% | 13,080 | 17,872 | 39,264 |
| 1994 | 121 | 74.4% | 14,282 | 21,906 | 30,497 |
| 1993 | 56 | 89.3% | 18,995 | 28,390 | 32,811 |
| 1991 | 69 | 76.8% | 12,171 | 16,547 | 39,509 |
| 1990 | 58 | 87.9% | 29,762 | 58,944 | 63,760 |
| 1989 | 98 | 83.7% | 27,266 | 43,804 | 51,270 |
| 1987 | 57 | 82.5% | 20,684 | 24,125 | 54,658 |
| 1985 | 51 | 80.4% | 6,986 | 16,725 | 28,268 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki Trike Last?
Based on 152 Kawasaki Trike vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki Trike Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki Trike 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 Trike
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.3% MOT pass rate from 56 tests
66.2% MOT pass rate from 74 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Trike is 1993, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.3% across 56 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki Trike Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Trike THIS CAR | 82.0% | 1,458 | 24,188 mi | 41 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 |
| Suzuki GS500E | 77.2% | 2,277 | 27,666 mi | 37 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Trike sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki Trike 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 TrikeShould you buy a used Kawasaki Trike?
The Kawasaki Trike has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.0% across 1,458 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 Trike are reflector missing (22 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (19), and brake recording little or no effort (14). 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 Trike owner drives around 480 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 Trike models stay on UK roads for around 41 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.