Kawasaki Zxr Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki Zxr car check
Is the Kawasaki Zxr reliable? We analysed 2,772 real MOT tests across 326 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki Zxr? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki Zxr is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, reflector on motorcycle missing and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki Zxr.
Kawasaki Zxr Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki Zxr. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki Zxr MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki Zxr to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki Zxr Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki Zxr fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki Zxr Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki Zxr owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki Zxr MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki Zxr year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 61 | 78.7% | 9,930 | 14,215 | 16,950 |
| 2004 | 130 | 87.7% | 8,848 | 14,936 | 22,092 |
| 2003 | 103 | 81.6% | 8,760 | 23,081 | 36,791 |
| 2002 | 82 | 78.0% | 15,713 | 29,923 | 48,634 |
| 2001 | 83 | 79.5% | 11,426 | 13,754 | 23,344 |
| 2000 | 127 | 81.9% | 17,369 | 29,232 | 40,572 |
| 1999 | 122 | 77.0% | 28,372 | 36,090 | 44,351 |
| 1998 | 316 | 77.2% | 21,876 | 28,175 | 41,190 |
| 1997 | 256 | 77.7% | 20,830 | 27,977 | 36,540 |
| 1996 | 249 | 77.9% | 19,336 | 27,548 | 40,184 |
| 1995 | 314 | 78.7% | 18,600 | 26,149 | 35,572 |
| 1994 | 171 | 78.9% | 18,054 | 23,169 | 32,128 |
| 1992 | 214 | 81.3% | 19,188 | 29,550 | 37,558 |
| 1991 | 109 | 75.2% | 24,271 | 31,061 | 38,501 |
| 1990 | 117 | 76.9% | 31,395 | 36,441 | 42,007 |
| 1989 | 180 | 80.0% | 29,822 | 35,016 | 40,904 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki Zxr Last?
Based on 326 Kawasaki Zxr vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki Zxr Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki Zxr 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 Zxr
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.7% MOT pass rate from 130 tests
75.2% MOT pass rate from 109 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki Zxr is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.7% across 130 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki Zxr Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Zxr THIS CAR | 79.4% | 2,772 | 27,195 mi | 37 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 |
| Ldv Maxus 15S 95 Minibus | 70.3% | 1,582 | 66,393 mi | 19 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki Zxr trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki Zxr 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 ZxrShould you buy a used Kawasaki Zxr?
The Kawasaki Zxr has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.4% across 2,772 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 Zxr are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (60 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (51), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (44). 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 Zxr owner drives around 660 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 Zxr models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.