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Kawasaki ZXR750 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki ZXR750 car check

Is the Kawasaki ZXR750 reliable? We analysed 14,736 real MOT tests across 2,313 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 14,736 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
78.4%
Typical Mileage
30,310mi
Annual Mileage
463mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
37yrs

The Kawasaki ZXR750 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki ZXR750.

Kawasaki ZXR750 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki ZXR750. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki ZXR750 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki ZXR750 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

84%
2003
79.3%
2002
78.4%
2000
78.7%
1999
81.4%
1998
73.6%
1997
80.1%
1996
78.5%
1995
77.7%
1994
79.7%
1993
77.9%
1992
77.4%
1991
79.3%
1990
78.1%
1989

Kawasaki ZXR750 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki ZXR750 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 503
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 294
reflector on motorcycle missing 219
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 217
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 209
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 156
Headlamp aim too high 118
Direction indicator not working 114
Headlamp aim too low 95
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 80

Kawasaki ZXR750 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki ZXR750 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
130 mi/yr
Typical
463 mi/yr
Average
1,057 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,194 mi/yr

Kawasaki ZXR750 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki ZXR750 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 50 84.0% 8,308 25,234 35,234
2002 82 79.3% 26,419 32,050 38,753
2000 97 78.4% 19,432 32,180 56,984
1999 207 78.7% 19,332 32,066 47,118
1998 429 81.4% 17,957 27,744 43,286
1997 641 73.6% 19,938 27,072 36,679
1996 834 80.1% 17,817 27,131 35,680
1995 942 78.5% 19,319 25,498 33,060
1994 1,405 77.7% 21,332 28,779 35,910
1993 2,074 79.7% 22,294 29,794 37,912
1992 1,224 77.9% 23,280 30,701 40,588
1991 2,337 77.4% 24,502 32,560 40,300
1990 2,130 79.3% 24,168 32,058 40,304
1989 1,970 78.1% 25,142 33,668 41,764

How Long Does a Kawasaki ZXR750 Last?

Based on 2,313 Kawasaki ZXR750 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
20.9 years
Median
20.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
37 years

Kawasaki ZXR750 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki ZXR750 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
30,310 mi
75th Percentile
39,245 mi
95th Percentile
54,843 mi
Max Recorded
486,350 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki ZXR750

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

Best year
2003

84.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests

Year to avoid
1997

73.6% MOT pass rate from 641 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki ZXR750 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.0% across 50 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki ZXR750 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki ZXR750 THIS CAR 78.4% 14,736 30,310 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
Piaggio Vespa Gts 88.2% 4,492 14,356 mi 21 yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki ZXR750 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Kawasaki ZXR750 you like?

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki ZXR750?

The Kawasaki ZXR750 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.4% across 14,736 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 ZXR750 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (503 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (294), and reflector on motorcycle missing (219). 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 ZXR750 owner drives around 463 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 ZXR750 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.

Kawasaki ZXR750 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki ZXR750 reliable?
Based on 14,736 MOT tests, the Kawasaki ZXR750 has a 78.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki ZXR750?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and reflector on motorcycle missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki ZXR750 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki ZXR750 does around 463 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki ZXR750 last?
Most Kawasaki ZXR750 models stay on UK roads for around 37 years based on our analysis of 2,313 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki ZXR750?
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 ZXR750?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki ZXR750 is 2003 with a 84.0% pass rate across 50 tests.