Kawasaki Vulcan Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki Vulcan car check
Is the Kawasaki Vulcan reliable? We analysed 1,005 real MOT tests across 111 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki Vulcan? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki Vulcan is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Vulcan.
Kawasaki Vulcan Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki Vulcan. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki Vulcan MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki Vulcan to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki Vulcan Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki Vulcan fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki Vulcan Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Kawasaki Vulcan models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Kawasaki Vulcan Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki Vulcan owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki Vulcan MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki Vulcan year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 83 | 89.2% | 12,267 | 20,223 | 29,808 |
| 2002 | 53 | 88.7% | 8,665 | 11,495 | 26,434 |
| 2001 | 71 | 83.1% | 9,972 | 16,436 | 19,728 |
| 2000 | 53 | 84.9% | 12,148 | 21,626 | 27,220 |
| 1995 | 90 | 76.7% | 17,581 | 19,902 | 22,980 |
| 1993 | 136 | 84.6% | 19,128 | 22,541 | 25,368 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki Vulcan Last?
Based on 111 Kawasaki Vulcan vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki Vulcan Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki Vulcan 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 Vulcan
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.2% MOT pass rate from 83 tests
76.7% MOT pass rate from 90 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Vulcan is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.2% across 83 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki Vulcan Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Vulcan THIS CAR | 85.0% | 1,005 | 19,849 mi | 33 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 |
| Cupra Ateca VZ2 TSI 4DRIVE S-a | 91.7% | 663 | 25,706 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Vulcan outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki Vulcan 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 VulcanShould you buy a used Kawasaki Vulcan?
The Kawasaki Vulcan has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.0% across 1,005 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 Vulcan are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (13 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (8), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (5). 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 Vulcan 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 Vulcan owner drives around 443 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 Vulcan models stay on UK roads for around 33 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.