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Kawasaki ZR750 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki ZR750 car check

Is the Kawasaki ZR750 reliable? We analysed 2,739 real MOT tests across 246 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,739 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
83.5%
Typical Mileage
16,466mi
Annual Mileage
882mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
35yrs

The Kawasaki ZR750 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki ZR750.

Kawasaki ZR750 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki ZR750. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki ZR750 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki ZR750 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

82.7%
2012
86.5%
2011
86.9%
2010
89.8%
2009
86.4%
2008
87%
2007
83.5%
2006
81%
2005
83.2%
2004
72.7%
2001
81.5%
1995
83.6%
1992
93.9%
1991

Kawasaki ZR750 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki ZR750 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 46
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 15
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 11
reflector on motorcycle missing 10
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 9
Headlamp aim too low 8
Brake disc(s) has excessive run out 7

Kawasaki ZR750 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Kawasaki ZR750 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 7

Kawasaki ZR750 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki ZR750 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
294 mi/yr
Typical
882 mi/yr
Average
1,653 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,202 mi/yr

Kawasaki ZR750 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki ZR750 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2012 52 82.7% 3,672 7,610 17,086
2011 74 86.5% 6,957 11,320 17,110
2010 122 86.9% 5,893 12,076 19,361
2009 167 89.8% 5,028 6,759 12,017
2008 220 86.4% 7,297 13,515 24,455
2007 270 87.0% 7,297 12,028 22,668
2006 449 83.5% 9,154 15,670 21,478
2005 686 81.0% 10,556 18,178 27,158
2004 232 83.2% 10,896 17,686 26,805
2001 66 72.7% 15,225 23,545 26,786
1995 65 81.5% 16,108 19,520 25,418
1992 61 83.6% 17,075 22,848 33,277
1991 66 93.9% 21,477 35,852 38,686

How Long Does a Kawasaki ZR750 Last?

Based on 246 Kawasaki ZR750 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.9 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
35 years

Kawasaki ZR750 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki ZR750 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
16,466 mi
75th Percentile
25,682 mi
95th Percentile
44,884 mi
Max Recorded
119,310 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki ZR750

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

Best year
1991

93.9% MOT pass rate from 66 tests

Year to avoid
2001

72.7% MOT pass rate from 66 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki ZR750 is 1991, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.9% across 66 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki ZR750 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki ZR750 THIS CAR 83.5% 2,739 16,466 mi 35 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
Yamaha Radian 81.3% 958 22,846 mi 40 yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki ZR750 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki ZR750?

The Kawasaki ZR750 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.5% across 2,739 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 ZR750 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (46 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (15), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (11). 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 ZR750 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 ZR750 owner drives around 882 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 ZR750 models stay on UK roads for around 35 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 ZR750 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki ZR750 reliable?
Based on 2,739 MOT tests, the Kawasaki ZR750 has a 83.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki ZR750?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, roller brake test indicates a binding brake, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki ZR750 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki ZR750 does around 882 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki ZR750 last?
Most Kawasaki ZR750 models stay on UK roads for around 35 years based on our analysis of 246 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki ZR750?
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 ZR750?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki ZR750 is 1991 with a 93.9% pass rate across 66 tests.