Kawasaki KLZ MOT pass rate and common failures
Kawasaki KLZ motorcycles pass the MOT 86.97% of the time, measured across 737 tests in the DVSA record. A further 7.46% 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 inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps - it accounts for 46.3% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) and not working, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (5.8% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 22,928 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 years | 86.99% | 661 | |
| 11-15 years | 87.67% | 73 |
Why the Kawasaki KLZ 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 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 46.3% | 19 | |
| 2 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 34.1% | 14 | |
| 3 | Not working | 29.3% | 12 | |
| 4 | Not working on dipped beam | 29.3% | 12 | |
| 5 | Too high | 26.8% | 11 | |
| 6 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 24.4% | 10 | |
| 7 | Has a serious fluid leak | 14.6% | 6 | |
| 8 | Missing | 12.2% | 5 | |
| 9 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 7.3% | 3 | |
| 10 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 7.3% | 3 |
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 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 5.8% | 43 | |
| 2 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 3.1% | 23 | |
| 3 | Excessively loose | 2.2% | 16 | |
| 4 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 2% | 15 | |
| 5 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 2% | 15 | |
| 6 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 1.4% | 10 | |
| 7 | Worn to excess | 1.4% | 10 | |
| 8 | Tread not clearly visible | 1.2% | 9 | |
| 9 | Seriously damaged | 0.9% | 7 | |
| 10 | Excessively tight | 0.8% | 6 |
Kawasaki KLZ for sale
No Kawasaki KLZ in stock at the moment - 1,109 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 R1250 · 1,254cc | 6,764 | 96.17% | 17,373 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method