Kawasaki KLE500 MOT pass rate and common failures
Kawasaki KLE500 motorcycles pass the MOT 86.32% of the time, measured across 212 tests in the DVSA record. A further 8.49% 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 100% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) and missing, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (6.6% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 23,085 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 | 86.26% | 211 |
Why the Kawasaki KLE500 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 | 100% | 12 | |
| 2 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 45.5% | 5 | |
| 3 | Missing | 27.3% | 3 | |
| 4 | Excessively binding | 18.2% | 2 | |
| 5 | Has a serious fluid leak | 18.2% | 2 | |
| 6 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 18.2% | 2 | |
| 7 | Insecure | 18.2% | 2 | |
| 8 | Not working on dipped beam | 18.2% | 2 | |
| 9 | Spindle locking device missing | 18.2% | 2 | |
| 10 | Too low | 18.2% | 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 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 6.6% | 14 | |
| 2 | Excessively loose | 3.8% | 8 | |
| 3 | Has excessive play | 3.8% | 8 | |
| 4 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 3.8% | 8 | |
| 5 | Spoke excessively corroded | 3.8% | 8 | |
| 6 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 3.8% | 8 | |
| 7 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 3.3% | 7 | |
| 8 | Has a major leak of exhaust gases | 2.4% | 5 | |
| 9 | Worn to excess | 2.4% | 5 | |
| 10 | Component pin or bush excessively worn | 1.9% | 4 |
Kawasaki KLE500 for sale
60 Kawasaki KLE500 adverts on MotoDealers UK right now, 1,109 Kawasaki in total.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc | 5,400 | 89.76% | 19,444 | |
| Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc | 4,890 | 80% | 29,308 | |
| Honda CBR600F · 599cc | 4,710 | 85.56% | 30,651 | |
| Kawasaki ZX-6R · 599-636cc | 4,510 | 81.62% | 26,019 | |
| Suzuki SV650 · 646cc | 3,834 | 80.99% | 27,644 | |
| Suzuki GSXR600 · 599cc | 3,831 | 81.83% | 25,077 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method