Kawasaki Z200 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki Z200 car check
Is the Kawasaki Z200 reliable? We analysed 1,481 real MOT tests across 299 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki Z200? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki Z200 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and drive chain worn to excess. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Z200.
Kawasaki Z200 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki Z200. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki Z200 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki Z200 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki Z200 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki Z200 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki Z200 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki Z200 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki Z200 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki Z200 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 118 | 83.1% | 15,392 | 23,126 | 32,945 |
| 1982 | 98 | 76.5% | 24,544 | 32,515 | 36,967 |
| 1981 | 278 | 82.0% | 13,612 | 21,152 | 31,162 |
| 1980 | 420 | 84.5% | 8,616 | 14,507 | 24,980 |
| 1979 | 249 | 83.5% | 11,632 | 18,052 | 23,573 |
| 1978 | 123 | 87.8% | 11,762 | 17,610 | 25,990 |
| 1977 | 148 | 78.4% | 14,084 | 20,734 | 24,862 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki Z200 Last?
Based on 299 Kawasaki Z200 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki Z200 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki Z200 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 Z200
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.8% MOT pass rate from 123 tests
76.5% MOT pass rate from 98 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Z200 is 1978, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.8% across 123 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki Z200 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Z200 THIS CAR | 82.8% | 1,481 | 19,286 mi | 49 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 |
| Honda NH80MD-H | 81.3% | 1,009 | 4,932 mi | 39 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Z200 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki Z200 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 Z200Should you buy a used Kawasaki Z200?
The Kawasaki Z200 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.8% across 1,481 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 Z200 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (19 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (13), and drive chain worn to excess (12). 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 Z200 owner drives around 223 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 Z200 models stay on UK roads for around 49 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.