Kawasaki GPZ900R MOT pass rate and common failures
Kawasaki GPZ900R motorcycles pass the MOT 88.3% of the time, measured across 282 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.61% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 40% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check missing and excessively binding, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort (5% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 36,343 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.
Pass rate by age
A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.
| Age at test | Pass rate | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ years | 88% | 275 |
Why the Kawasaki GPZ900R fails
Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.
| # | Item | Of failures | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not working | 40% | 8 | |
| 2 | Missing | 25% | 5 | |
| 3 | Excessively binding | 20% | 4 | |
| 4 | Has a serious fluid leak | 20% | 4 | |
| 5 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 15% | 3 | |
| 6 | Control functioning such that safe operation of the motorcycle is adversely affected | 10% | 2 | |
| 7 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 10% | 2 | |
| 8 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 10% | 2 | |
| 9 | Light intensity obviously reduced | 10% | 2 | |
| 10 | The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25% | 10% | 2 |
Most common advisories
Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.
| # | Item | Of all tests | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 5% | 14 | |
| 2 | Has a serious fluid leak | 4.3% | 12 | |
| 3 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 3.5% | 10 | |
| 4 | Excessively binding | 3.2% | 9 | |
| 5 | Excessively loose | 2.8% | 8 | |
| 6 | Component pin or bush excessively worn | 2.5% | 7 | |
| 7 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 2.1% | 6 | |
| 8 | Has excessive play | 1.8% | 5 | |
| 9 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 1.8% | 5 | |
| 10 | Pin or bush excessively worn | 1.8% | 5 |
Kawasaki GPZ900R for sale
No Kawasaki GPZ900R in stock at the moment - 1,110 other Kawasaki bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph TIGER · 969cc | 16,144 | 91.27% | 22,934 | |
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc | 9,796 | 91.92% | 40,594 | |
| BMW R1200 · 1,170cc | 9,521 | 94.43% | 28,830 | |
| BMW S 1000 · 999cc | 8,445 | 91.96% | 15,282 | |
| BMW R 1200 · 1,170cc | 6,170 | 95.28% | 27,241 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method