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Kawasaki ZRX1200R Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki ZRX1200R car check

Is the Kawasaki ZRX1200R reliable? We analysed 12,251 real MOT tests across 904 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 12,251 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
90.7%
Typical Mileage
16,811mi
Annual Mileage
730mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
25yrs

The Kawasaki ZRX1200R is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki ZRX1200R.

Kawasaki ZRX1200R Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki ZRX1200R. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki ZRX1200R MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki ZRX1200R to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

93.6%
2008
92.2%
2007
91.1%
2006
92.5%
2005
91.9%
2004
90.8%
2003
89.8%
2002
89%
2001

Kawasaki ZRX1200R Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki ZRX1200R 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 91
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 47
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 37
reflector on motorcycle missing 24
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 24
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 17
wheel bearings have excessive free play 17
Headlamp aim too high 16
Tyre valve stem damaged which could cause sudden tyre deflation 15

Kawasaki ZRX1200R Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Kawasaki ZRX1200R models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 24

Kawasaki ZRX1200R Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki ZRX1200R 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
730 mi/yr
Average
1,345 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,711 mi/yr

Kawasaki ZRX1200R MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki ZRX1200R year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2008 203 93.6% 6,297 10,251 22,137
2007 436 92.2% 7,471 12,470 19,625
2006 878 91.1% 9,056 14,492 22,116
2005 934 92.5% 7,282 11,645 20,278
2004 1,854 91.9% 9,697 16,758 25,998
2003 3,158 90.8% 9,799 16,726 25,531
2002 2,499 89.8% 11,766 18,764 27,377
2001 2,224 89.0% 12,190 19,040 29,863

How Long Does a Kawasaki ZRX1200R Last?

Based on 904 Kawasaki ZRX1200R vehicles on UK roads.

Average
17.9 years
Median
19.5 years
Estimated max lifespan
25 years

Kawasaki ZRX1200R Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki ZRX1200R MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
16,811 mi
75th Percentile
25,884 mi
95th Percentile
45,261 mi
Max Recorded
428,707 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki ZRX1200R

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

Best year
2008

93.6% MOT pass rate from 203 tests

Year to avoid
2001

89.0% MOT pass rate from 2,224 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki ZRX1200R is 2008, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.6% across 203 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 89.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki ZRX1200R Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki ZRX1200R THIS CAR 90.7% 12,251 16,811 mi 25 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
Volvo XC90 Momentum B5 MHEV AWD Auto 89.7% 4,944 37,171 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki ZRX1200R outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki ZRX1200R?

The Kawasaki ZRX1200R has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.7% across 12,251 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 ZRX1200R are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (91 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (47), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (37). 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 ZRX1200R 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 ZRX1200R owner drives around 730 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 ZRX1200R models stay on UK roads for around 25 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 ZRX1200R — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki ZRX1200R reliable?
Based on 12,251 MOT tests, the Kawasaki ZRX1200R has a 90.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki ZRX1200R?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki ZRX1200R do per year?
The typical Kawasaki ZRX1200R does around 730 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki ZRX1200R last?
Most Kawasaki ZRX1200R models stay on UK roads for around 25 years based on our analysis of 904 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki ZRX1200R?
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 ZRX1200R?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki ZRX1200R is 2008 with a 93.6% pass rate across 203 tests.