Kawasaki Z900 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki Z900 car check
Is the Kawasaki Z900 reliable? We analysed 4,260 real MOT tests across 786 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki Z900? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki Z900 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on, direction indicators not working and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Z900.
Kawasaki Z900 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki Z900. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki Z900 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki Z900 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki Z900 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki Z900 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki Z900 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki Z900 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki Z900 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki Z900 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 61 | 88.5% | 11,613 | 22,525 | 34,817 |
| 2001 | 50 | 90.0% | 1,152 | 22,362 | 26,841 |
| 2000 | 87 | 90.8% | 21,864 | 27,207 | 36,715 |
| 1999 | 152 | 88.2% | 14,733 | 20,253 | 34,692 |
| 1998 | 250 | 86.8% | 19,870 | 26,938 | 30,174 |
| 1997 | 164 | 92.1% | 22,641 | 34,982 | 45,410 |
| 1996 | 159 | 88.7% | 16,106 | 25,809 | 36,524 |
| 1995 | 202 | 84.2% | 17,992 | 28,890 | 44,808 |
| 1994 | 211 | 92.4% | 22,677 | 29,182 | 42,043 |
| 1993 | 78 | 91.0% | 22,614 | 30,784 | 39,094 |
| 1992 | 165 | 88.5% | 16,206 | 22,792 | 34,514 |
| 1991 | 147 | 91.8% | 24,312 | 33,894 | 50,718 |
| 1989 | 78 | 85.9% | 22,849 | 36,666 | 42,530 |
| 1977 | 136 | 91.2% | 25,792 | 36,606 | 44,560 |
| 1976 | 1,189 | 86.4% | 17,812 | 31,412 | 41,856 |
| 1975 | 347 | 85.9% | 12,218 | 29,750 | 45,585 |
| 1974 | 132 | 90.9% | 18,884 | 34,570 | 44,850 |
| 1973 | 52 | 94.2% | 15,633 | 27,079 | 29,084 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki Z900 Last?
Based on 786 Kawasaki Z900 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki Z900 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki Z900 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 Z900
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.2% MOT pass rate from 52 tests
84.2% MOT pass rate from 202 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Z900 is 1973, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.2% across 52 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki Z900 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Z900 THIS CAR | 88.3% | 4,260 | 27,719 mi | 52 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 |
| Benelli Bn 125 E5 | 78.2% | 1,596 | 5,701 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Z900 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki Z900 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 Z900Should you buy a used Kawasaki Z900?
The Kawasaki Z900 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.3% across 4,260 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 Z900 are position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on (22 recorded failures), direction indicators not working (20), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (18). 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 Z900 owner drives around 251 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 Z900 models stay on UK roads for around 52 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.