Kawasaki ZX-6R MOT pass rate and common failures
Kawasaki ZX-6R motorcycles pass the MOT 81.54% of the time, measured across 4,713 tests in the DVSA record. A further 6.47% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
Calculated from DVSA records for Kawasaki ZX-6R, 599-636cc.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 42.1% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check missing and has a serious fluid leak, 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 (10.5% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 26,085 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 years | 83.04% | 395 | |
| 11-15 years | 82.82% | 163 | |
| 16+ years | 81.45% | 4,113 |
Why the Kawasaki ZX-6R 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 | 42.1% | 238 | |
| 2 | Missing | 21.4% | 121 | |
| 3 | Has a serious fluid leak | 17.7% | 100 | |
| 4 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 14.7% | 83 | |
| 5 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 13.3% | 75 | |
| 6 | Excessively binding | 12.9% | 73 | |
| 7 | Insecure | 10.6% | 60 | |
| 8 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 7.6% | 43 | |
| 9 | Flashing more than 120 times a minute | 7.1% | 40 | |
| 10 | Contaminated | 6.5% | 37 |
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 | 10.5% | 495 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 7.3% | 344 | |
| 3 | Has a serious fluid leak | 5% | 235 | |
| 4 | Excessively binding | 3.8% | 180 | |
| 5 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 3.7% | 175 | |
| 6 | Excessively loose | 3.7% | 175 | |
| 7 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 3.1% | 148 | |
| 8 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 2.4% | 112 | |
| 9 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 1.6% | 74 | |
| 10 | Tread not clearly visible | 1.4% | 66 |
Kawasaki ZX-6R for sale
24 Kawasaki ZX-6R adverts on MotoDealers UK right now, 1,111 Kawasaki in total.
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 | |
| Honda NC · 741cc | 5,311 | 89.53% | 22,765 | |
| Honda CBR600F · 599cc | 4,914 | 85.61% | 30,486 | |
| Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc | 4,890 | 80% | 29,308 | |
| Royal Enfield INTERCEPTOR INT 650 · 649cc | 4,016 | 91.24% | 5,914 | |
| Suzuki SV650 · 646cc | 3,834 | 80.99% | 27,644 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method