Kawasaki ZRX1200S MOT pass rate and common failures

Kawasaki ZRX1200S motorcycles pass the MOT 91.22% of the time, measured across 205 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.39% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 4.3 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 91.22% 187 of 205

Fixed at the station 4.39% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 29,260 miles

Average age at test 22.56 years old

Engine 1,165cc MOT class 2

For sale now 0 Kawasaki ZRX1200S adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

Start with not working - it accounts for 55.6% of failed tests on this model.
Then check does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls and incorrect colour, the next two most common reasons.
The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (6.8% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 29,260 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	91.22%		205

Why the Kawasaki ZRX1200S 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	55.6%	5
2	Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls	22.2%	2
3	Incorrect colour	22.2%	2
4	Rough when rotated	22.2%	2
5	Seriously damaged	22.2%	2
6	Too high	22.2%	2
7	Excessively binding	11.1%	1
8	Excessively loose	11.1%	1
9	Excessively tight, so that it is likely to fail	11.1%	1
10	Fouling on the fuel tank or bodywork on full lock	11.1%	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	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	6.8%	14
2	Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition	6.3%	13
3	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	4.9%	10
4	Has a serious fluid leak	3.9%	8
5	Excessively binding	2.9%	6
6	In such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2.9%	6
7	Less than 1.0 mm thick	2.9%	6
8	Excessively loose	2.4%	5
9	Chain guard missing	1%	2
10	Excessively stiff or notchy	1%	2

Kawasaki ZRX1200S for sale

No Kawasaki ZRX1200S in stock at the moment - 1,110 other Kawasaki bikes are advertised.

Used Kawasaki ZRX1200S Used Kawasaki All Kawasaki Kawasaki MOT statistics

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

Kawasaki ZRX1200S MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Kawasaki ZRX1200S?+

91.22% of Kawasaki ZRX1200S MOT tests end in a pass, based on 205 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Kawasaki ZRX1200S?+

Not working, which appears in 55.6% of failed tests on this model.

Where does this data come from?+

From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.

Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+

Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.