Kawasaki Unknown Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki Unknown car check
Is the Kawasaki Unknown reliable? We analysed 6,508 real MOT tests across 3,074 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki Unknown? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki Unknown is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Unknown.
Kawasaki Unknown Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki Unknown. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki Unknown MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki Unknown to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki Unknown Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki Unknown fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki Unknown Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Kawasaki Unknown models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Kawasaki Unknown Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki Unknown owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki Unknown MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki Unknown year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 73 | 89.0% | 2,449 | 5,509 | 18,121 |
| 2019 | 101 | 84.2% | 2,158 | 6,030 | 12,080 |
| 2018 | 70 | 88.6% | 2,297 | 6,744 | 12,045 |
| 2017 | 156 | 93.6% | 2,324 | 5,586 | 13,150 |
| 2016 | 186 | 90.3% | 1,934 | 5,295 | 12,243 |
| 2015 | 202 | 87.6% | 4,188 | 9,121 | 17,736 |
| 2014 | 110 | 84.5% | 1,557 | 4,628 | 9,048 |
| 2013 | 93 | 86.0% | 1,269 | 4,157 | 7,341 |
| 2012 | 58 | 81.0% | 1,214 | 2,106 | 10,334 |
| 2010 | 65 | 80.0% | 6,683 | 11,194 | 15,659 |
| 2008 | 54 | 90.7% | 3,722 | 5,576 | 7,634 |
| 2006 | 68 | 82.4% | 13,685 | 18,801 | 22,009 |
| 2002 | 57 | 84.2% | 12,161 | 18,267 | 23,669 |
| 2001 | 70 | 77.1% | 3,070 | 8,718 | 42,823 |
| 2000 | 59 | 86.4% | 5,503 | 27,688 | 32,742 |
| 1999 | 103 | 83.5% | 12,624 | 24,926 | 33,746 |
| 1998 | 158 | 84.2% | 5,917 | 22,249 | 28,606 |
| 1997 | 143 | 74.8% | 10,820 | 21,533 | 30,518 |
| 1996 | 236 | 84.7% | 11,755 | 21,211 | 27,597 |
| 1995 | 322 | 84.2% | 9,971 | 15,738 | 26,220 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki Unknown Last?
Based on 3,074 Kawasaki Unknown vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki Unknown Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki Unknown 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 Unknown
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.1% MOT pass rate from 85 tests
74.8% MOT pass rate from 143 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Unknown is 1975, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.1% across 85 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki Unknown Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Unknown THIS CAR | 84.5% | 6,508 | 16,718 mi | 51 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 |
| Mv Agusta F4 | 88.2% | 9,470 | 7,361 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Unknown outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki Unknown 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 UnknownShould you buy a used Kawasaki Unknown?
The Kawasaki Unknown has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.5% across 6,508 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common failure point is roller brake test indicates a binding brake with 23 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.
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 Unknown 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 Unknown owner drives around 330 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 Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 51 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.