Kawasaki Zx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki Zx car check
Is the Kawasaki Zx reliable? We analysed 43,635 real MOT tests across 6,325 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki Zx? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki Zx is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Zx.
Kawasaki Zx Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki Zx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki Zx MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki Zx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki Zx Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki Zx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki Zx Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Kawasaki Zx models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Kawasaki Zx Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki Zx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki Zx MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki Zx year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 179 | 91.6% | 4,398 | 9,015 | 14,771 |
| 2017 | 1,828 | 92.2% | 5,367 | 9,208 | 14,840 |
| 2016 | 10,505 | 91.1% | 5,972 | 9,968 | 15,474 |
| 2015 | 12,510 | 90.6% | 6,738 | 11,402 | 17,745 |
| 2014 | 13,172 | 91.0% | 7,487 | 12,482 | 19,557 |
| 2013 | 1,991 | 90.0% | 6,523 | 11,360 | 17,642 |
| 2012 | 334 | 89.2% | 5,104 | 9,622 | 16,432 |
| 2011 | 299 | 87.6% | 4,947 | 9,965 | 15,886 |
| 2010 | 197 | 86.3% | 5,642 | 10,480 | 15,999 |
| 2009 | 117 | 88.9% | 6,109 | 10,369 | 14,769 |
| 2008 | 200 | 85.5% | 4,610 | 10,155 | 20,480 |
| 2007 | 177 | 85.3% | 6,788 | 14,936 | 24,116 |
| 2006 | 206 | 85.9% | 10,991 | 17,444 | 26,085 |
| 2005 | 257 | 86.0% | 8,076 | 13,099 | 20,763 |
| 2004 | 145 | 87.6% | 7,960 | 12,421 | 25,859 |
| 2003 | 63 | 87.3% | 13,748 | 19,533 | 32,034 |
| 2000 | 93 | 77.4% | 25,387 | 28,845 | 33,000 |
| 1998 | 101 | 80.2% | 15,374 | 25,227 | 39,972 |
| 1997 | 112 | 87.5% | 14,410 | 23,995 | 31,730 |
| 1996 | 152 | 78.3% | 19,086 | 28,879 | 35,316 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki Zx Last?
Based on 6,325 Kawasaki Zx vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki Zx Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki Zx 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 Zx
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.2% MOT pass rate from 1,828 tests
75.6% MOT pass rate from 78 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Zx is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.2% across 1,828 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki Zx Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Zx THIS CAR | 90.5% | 43,635 | 11,480 mi | 13 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 |
| Chrysler Crossfire | 77.1% | 68,579 | 55,278 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Zx outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki Zx 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 ZxShould you buy a used Kawasaki Zx?
The Kawasaki Zx has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.5% across 43,635 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common failure point is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm with 63 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.
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 Zx 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 Zx owner drives around 1,075 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 Zx models stay on UK roads for around 13 years. 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.