Kawasaki ZX-7R MOT pass rate and common failures
Kawasaki ZX-7R motorcycles pass the MOT 86.32% of the time, measured across 585 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.47% 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 41.7% 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 (9.4% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 26,357 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 | 86.32% | 585 |
Why the Kawasaki ZX-7R 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 | 41.7% | 20 | |
| 2 | Missing | 22.9% | 11 | |
| 3 | Has a serious fluid leak | 20.8% | 10 | |
| 4 | Excessively binding | 16.7% | 8 | |
| 5 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 14.6% | 7 | |
| 6 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 12.5% | 6 | |
| 7 | Insecure | 12.5% | 6 | |
| 8 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 10.4% | 5 | |
| 9 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 10.4% | 5 | |
| 10 | Flashing more than 120 times a minute | 10.4% | 5 |
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 | 9.4% | 55 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 6% | 35 | |
| 3 | Has a serious fluid leak | 4.4% | 26 | |
| 4 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 3.6% | 21 | |
| 5 | Excessively binding | 3.2% | 19 | |
| 6 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 2.4% | 14 | |
| 7 | Excessively loose | 2.1% | 12 | |
| 8 | Chain guard missing | 1.4% | 8 | |
| 9 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 1.4% | 8 | |
| 10 | Insecure | 1% | 6 |
Kawasaki ZX-7R for sale
No Kawasaki ZX-7R 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 | |
| Yamaha MT 800-1000cc · 800-1000cc | 5,720 | 90.98% | 16,130 | |
| Honda NC · 741cc | 5,311 | 89.53% | 22,765 | |
| Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc | 4,890 | 80% | 29,308 | |
| Honda CBR600F · 599cc | 4,710 | 85.56% | 30,651 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method