Kawasaki Z250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki Z250 car check
Is the Kawasaki Z250 reliable? We analysed 1,777 real MOT tests across 379 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki Z250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki Z250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing and footrest insecure. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Z250.
Kawasaki Z250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki Z250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki Z250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki Z250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki Z250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki Z250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki Z250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki Z250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki Z250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki Z250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 81 | 81.5% | 19,333 | 23,406 | 24,973 |
| 1982 | 429 | 86.9% | 13,216 | 20,016 | 26,003 |
| 1981 | 428 | 82.2% | 11,150 | 19,469 | 29,918 |
| 1980 | 441 | 83.7% | 11,213 | 20,628 | 31,476 |
| 1979 | 211 | 82.9% | 10,342 | 15,359 | 25,227 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki Z250 Last?
Based on 379 Kawasaki Z250 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki Z250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki Z250 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 Z250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.9% MOT pass rate from 429 tests
81.5% MOT pass rate from 81 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Z250 is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.9% across 429 tests. The 1983 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki Z250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Z250 THIS CAR | 83.9% | 1,777 | 19,455 mi | 47 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 Combo 2300 Pro Turbo D S/s | 80.1% | 744 | 40,762 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Z250 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki Z250 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 Z250Should you buy a used Kawasaki Z250?
The Kawasaki Z250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.9% across 1,777 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 Z250 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (14 recorded failures), wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing (7), and footrest insecure (7). 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 Z250 owner drives around 210 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 Z250 models stay on UK roads for around 47 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.