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Kawasaki VN750 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki VN750 car check

Is the Kawasaki VN750 reliable? We analysed 3,372 real MOT tests across 430 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,372 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
82.0%
Typical Mileage
19,926mi
Annual Mileage
365mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
41yrs

The Kawasaki VN750 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki VN750.

Kawasaki VN750 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki VN750. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki VN750 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki VN750 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

84.6%
1999
84.1%
1996
82%
1995
83.5%
1994
83.2%
1993
80.6%
1992
84.9%
1990
80.4%
1989
81.3%
1988
78.3%
1987
81.3%
1986
74.3%
1985

Kawasaki VN750 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki VN750 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 36
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 33
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 30
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 21
reflector on motorcycle missing 15
wheel bearings have excessive free play 13
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 13
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside 13
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 11
Tyre has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 11

Kawasaki VN750 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki VN750 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
103 mi/yr
Typical
365 mi/yr
Average
879 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,003 mi/yr

Kawasaki VN750 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki VN750 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1999 52 84.6% 21,072 36,145 51,672
1996 63 84.1% 15,881 17,207 19,456
1995 255 82.0% 15,614 20,700 26,582
1994 781 83.5% 10,620 16,764 22,802
1993 744 83.2% 12,203 19,104 27,335
1992 108 80.6% 16,027 27,359 31,811
1990 93 84.9% 14,838 19,271 25,992
1989 143 80.4% 12,875 25,791 34,238
1988 166 81.3% 17,326 23,498 32,010
1987 207 78.3% 18,926 27,429 34,797
1986 504 81.3% 13,118 20,157 27,841
1985 70 74.3% 21,232 26,834 31,320

How Long Does a Kawasaki VN750 Last?

Based on 430 Kawasaki VN750 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
24.6 years
Median
25.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
41 years

Kawasaki VN750 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki VN750 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
19,926 mi
75th Percentile
28,182 mi
95th Percentile
40,264 mi
Max Recorded
600,344 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki VN750

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

Best year
1990

84.9% MOT pass rate from 93 tests

Year to avoid
1985

74.3% MOT pass rate from 70 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki VN750 is 1990, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.9% across 93 tests. The 1985 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki VN750 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki VN750 THIS CAR 82.0% 3,372 19,926 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
Vauxhall Mokka Elite Nav Premium Turbo 88.5% 3,794 23,493 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki VN750 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki VN750?

The Kawasaki VN750 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.0% across 3,372 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 VN750 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (36 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (33), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (30). 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 VN750 owner drives around 365 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 VN750 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.

Kawasaki VN750 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki VN750 reliable?
Based on 3,372 MOT tests, the Kawasaki VN750 has a 82.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki VN750?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki VN750 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki VN750 does around 365 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki VN750 last?
Most Kawasaki VN750 models stay on UK roads for around 41 years based on our analysis of 430 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki VN750?
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 VN750?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki VN750 is 1990 with a 84.9% pass rate across 93 tests.