Kawasaki ZEPHYR 550 MOT pass rate and common failures
Kawasaki ZEPHYR 550 motorcycles pass the MOT 90.5% of the time, measured across 200 tests in the DVSA record. A further 2% 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 33.3% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check contaminated and has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is excessively binding (4.5% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 25,244 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 | 90.45% | 199 |
Why the Kawasaki ZEPHYR 550 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 | 33.3% | 5 | |
| 2 | Contaminated | 13.3% | 2 | |
| 3 | Has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | 13.3% | 2 | |
| 4 | The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25% | 13.3% | 2 | |
| 5 | Component leaking | 6.7% | 1 | |
| 6 | Connection leaking | 6.7% | 1 | |
| 7 | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 6.7% | 1 | |
| 8 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 6.7% | 1 | |
| 9 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 6.7% | 1 | |
| 10 | Excessively binding | 6.7% | 1 |
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 | Excessively binding | 4.5% | 9 | |
| 2 | Has a serious fluid leak | 4.5% | 9 | |
| 3 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 4% | 8 | |
| 4 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 3% | 6 | |
| 5 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 3% | 6 | |
| 6 | Has a major leak of exhaust gases | 2% | 4 | |
| 7 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 2% | 4 | |
| 8 | Excessively loose | 1.5% | 3 | |
| 9 | Has excessive play | 1.5% | 3 | |
| 10 | Has negligible damping effect | 1.5% | 3 |
Kawasaki ZEPHYR 550 for sale
No Kawasaki ZEPHYR 550 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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