Kawasaki ZRX1200R MOT pass rate and common failures
Kawasaki ZRX1200R motorcycles pass the MOT 93.3% of the time, measured across 418 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.07% 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 63.6% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not conform to the specified requirements and too low, 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 (7.2% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 25,879 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 | 93.25% | 415 |
Why the Kawasaki ZRX1200R 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 | 63.6% | 7 | |
| 2 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 36.4% | 4 | |
| 3 | Too low | 36.4% | 4 | |
| 4 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 18.2% | 2 | |
| 5 | Missing | 18.2% | 2 | |
| 6 | Control functioning such that safe operation of the motorcycle is adversely affected | 9.1% | 1 | |
| 7 | Excessively loose | 9.1% | 1 | |
| 8 | Flashing more than 120 times a minute | 9.1% | 1 | |
| 9 | Fluid level below minimum level | 9.1% | 1 | |
| 10 | Fluid not visible | 9.1% | 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 | 7.2% | 30 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 5.3% | 22 | |
| 3 | Has a serious fluid leak | 2.2% | 9 | |
| 4 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 2.2% | 9 | |
| 5 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 1.7% | 7 | |
| 6 | Excessively loose | 1.4% | 6 | |
| 7 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 0.7% | 3 | |
| 8 | Has a major leak of exhaust gases | 0.7% | 3 | |
| 9 | Has excessive play | 0.7% | 3 | |
| 10 | Excessively binding | 0.5% | 2 |
Kawasaki ZRX1200R for sale
No Kawasaki ZRX1200R 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 R1250 · 1,254cc | 6,764 | 96.17% | 17,373 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method