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Kawasaki ZRX1100 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki ZRX1100 car check

Is the Kawasaki ZRX1100 reliable? We analysed 20,448 real MOT tests across 1,558 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 20,448 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
87.3%
Typical Mileage
23,558mi
Annual Mileage
739mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Kawasaki ZRX1100 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki ZRX1100.

Kawasaki ZRX1100 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki ZRX1100. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki ZRX1100 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki ZRX1100 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89%
2004
90.8%
2003
88.6%
2002
88.5%
2001
87.1%
2000
87.8%
1999
86.4%
1998
87.1%
1997
80.8%
1992

Kawasaki ZRX1100 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki ZRX1100 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 197
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 128
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 117
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 110
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 109
wheel bearings have excessive free play 85
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 56
wheel bearings have excessive free play 55
reflector on motorcycle missing 54
Throttle operating incorrectly 54

Kawasaki ZRX1100 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki ZRX1100 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
262 mi/yr
Typical
739 mi/yr
Average
1,315 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,634 mi/yr

Kawasaki ZRX1100 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki ZRX1100 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2004 82 89.0% 16,786 20,900 27,931
2003 184 90.8% 16,297 23,074 28,472
2002 210 88.6% 8,628 18,370 25,342
2001 2,041 88.5% 13,370 20,684 30,212
2000 4,222 87.1% 13,568 20,873 30,751
1999 4,983 87.8% 15,485 23,429 31,755
1998 4,323 86.4% 16,658 24,535 33,658
1997 4,119 87.1% 17,685 26,844 37,649
1992 52 80.8% 24,355 30,896 45,199

How Long Does a Kawasaki ZRX1100 Last?

Based on 1,558 Kawasaki ZRX1100 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
21.2 years
Median
24.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
29 years

Kawasaki ZRX1100 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki ZRX1100 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
23,558 mi
75th Percentile
33,058 mi
95th Percentile
51,297 mi
Max Recorded
485,588 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki ZRX1100

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

Best year
2003

90.8% MOT pass rate from 184 tests

Year to avoid
1992

80.8% MOT pass rate from 52 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki ZRX1100 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.8% across 184 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki ZRX1100 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki ZRX1100 THIS CAR 87.3% 20,448 23,558 mi 29 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
Toyota Hilux Invincib X D-4D4WD Dcb A 89% 15,540 42,939 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki ZRX1100 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Kawasaki ZRX1100 you like?

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki ZRX1100?

The Kawasaki ZRX1100 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.3% across 20,448 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 ZRX1100 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (197 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (128), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (117). 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 ZRX1100 owner drives around 739 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 ZRX1100 models stay on UK roads for around 29 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 ZRX1100 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki ZRX1100 reliable?
Based on 20,448 MOT tests, the Kawasaki ZRX1100 has a 87.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki ZRX1100?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki ZRX1100 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki ZRX1100 does around 739 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki ZRX1100 last?
Most Kawasaki ZRX1100 models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 1,558 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki ZRX1100?
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 ZRX1100?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki ZRX1100 is 2003 with a 90.8% pass rate across 184 tests.