Kawasaki ZR 900 EJF CAFE MOT pass rate and common failures
Kawasaki ZR 900 EJF CAFE motorcycles pass the MOT 93.83% of the time, measured across 308 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.87% 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 missing - it accounts for 100% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not conform to the specified requirements and obviously incorrectly positioned, 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 (8.8% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 7,654 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | 94.64% | 112 | |
| 6-10 years | 93.37% | 196 |
Why the Kawasaki ZR 900 EJF CAFE 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 | Missing | 100% | 10 | |
| 2 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 75% | 3 | |
| 3 | Obviously incorrectly positioned | 50% | 2 | |
| 4 | Too high | 50% | 2 | |
| 5 | Too low | 50% | 2 | |
| 6 | Excessively tight | 25% | 1 | |
| 7 | Inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 25% | 1 | |
| 8 | Not working | 25% | 1 | |
| 9 | Retaining device loose | 25% | 1 | |
| 10 | Spindle locking device missing | 25% | 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 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 8.8% | 27 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 3.6% | 11 | |
| 3 | Worn to excess | 1.3% | 4 | |
| 4 | Tread not clearly visible | 1% | 3 | |
| 5 | Excessively binding | 0.6% | 2 | |
| 6 | Excessively loose | 0.6% | 2 | |
| 7 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 0.6% | 2 | |
| 8 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 0.3% | 1 | |
| 9 | Incorrect which adversely affects the handling | 0.3% | 1 | |
| 10 | Incorrect which adversely affects the steering | 0.3% | 1 |
Kawasaki ZR 900 EJF CAFE for sale
No Kawasaki ZR 900 EJF CAFE 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