Kawasaki ZZR250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki ZZR250 car check
Is the Kawasaki ZZR250 reliable? We analysed 664 real MOT tests across 128 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki ZZR250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki ZZR250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki ZZR250.
Kawasaki ZZR250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki ZZR250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki ZZR250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki ZZR250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki ZZR250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki ZZR250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki ZZR250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki ZZR250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki ZZR250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki ZZR250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 57 | 77.2% | 12,728 | 14,537 | 31,595 |
| 1992 | 159 | 74.8% | 18,862 | 23,159 | 27,321 |
| 1991 | 117 | 71.8% | 24,045 | 27,708 | 32,857 |
| 1990 | 174 | 74.7% | 14,533 | 26,712 | 32,421 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki ZZR250 Last?
Based on 128 Kawasaki ZZR250 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki ZZR250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki ZZR250 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 ZZR250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.2% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
71.8% MOT pass rate from 117 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki ZZR250 is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.2% across 57 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki ZZR250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki ZZR250 THIS CAR | 75.0% | 664 | 23,611 mi | 36 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 |
| Lexmoto Oregon | 68.7% | 450 | 11,057 mi | 10 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki ZZR250 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki ZZR250 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 ZZR250Should you buy a used Kawasaki ZZR250?
The Kawasaki ZZR250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.0% across 664 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 ZZR250 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (37 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (18), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (16). 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 ZZR250 owner drives around 413 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 ZZR250 models stay on UK roads for around 36 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.