Kawasaki ZX-10R MOT pass rate and common failures
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycles pass the MOT 87.68% of the time, measured across 747 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.49% 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 does not conform to the specified requirements and missing, 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 (15.7% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 23,158 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-15 years | 84.75% | 118 | |
| 16+ years | 88.07% | 612 |
Why the Kawasaki ZX-10R 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% | 17 | |
| 2 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 27.5% | 14 | |
| 3 | Missing | 25.5% | 13 | |
| 4 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 19.6% | 10 | |
| 5 | Has a serious fluid leak | 15.7% | 8 | |
| 6 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 13.7% | 7 | |
| 7 | Obviously incorrectly positioned | 13.7% | 7 | |
| 8 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 9.8% | 5 | |
| 9 | Adversely affected by the operation of another lamp | 7.8% | 4 | |
| 10 | Excessively binding | 7.8% | 4 |
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 | 15.7% | 117 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 5.4% | 40 | |
| 3 | Has a serious fluid leak | 3.5% | 26 | |
| 4 | Excessively loose | 3.2% | 24 | |
| 5 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 3.1% | 23 | |
| 6 | Tread not clearly visible | 1.5% | 11 | |
| 7 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.2% | 9 | |
| 8 | Excessively binding | 0.9% | 7 | |
| 9 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 0.9% | 7 | |
| 10 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 0.9% | 7 |
Kawasaki ZX-10R for sale
25 Kawasaki ZX-10R adverts on MotoDealers UK right now, 1,110 Kawasaki in total.
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