Kawasaki ZX 899-1199cc MOT pass rate and common failures

Kawasaki ZX 899-1199cc motorcycles pass the MOT 90.44% of the time, measured across 2,604 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.88% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Calculated from DVSA records for Kawasaki ZX, 899-1199cc.

Better than average: 3.6 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 90.44% 2,355 of 2,604

Fixed at the station 4.88% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 17,862 miles

Average age at test 10.11 years old

Engine 1,031cc MOT class 1 and 2

For sale now 0 Kawasaki ZX 899-1199cc 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 45.1% of failed tests on this model.
Then check missing and tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, 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 (8.4% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 17,862 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	90.63%		2,070
11-15 years	89.88%		504

Why the Kawasaki ZX 899-1199cc 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	45.1%	55
2	Missing	32%	39
3	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	21.3%	26
4	Does not conform to the specified requirements	18%	22
5	Has a serious fluid leak	13.9%	17
6	Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	13.9%	17
7	Obviously incorrectly positioned	13.9%	17
8	Excessively loose	12.3%	15
9	Too high	10.7%	13
10	Flashing more than 120 times a minute	9%	11

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	8.4%	220
2	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	6.9%	180
3	Less than 1.0 mm thick	3.2%	83
4	Excessively loose	3.1%	81
5	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	2.6%	69
6	Excessively stiff or notchy	2%	51
7	Has a serious fluid leak	1.6%	42
8	Tread not clearly visible	1.2%	30
9	Seriously damaged	1.1%	28
10	Worn to excess	1%	25

Kawasaki ZX 899-1199cc for sale

No Kawasaki ZX 899-1199cc in stock at the moment - 1,111 other Kawasaki bikes are advertised.

Used Kawasaki ZX 899-1199cc Used Kawasaki All Kawasaki Kawasaki MOT statistics Check a specific bike by plate

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
BMW R1200 · 1,170cc	15,691	94.77%	28,205
Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc	12,456	90.8%	12,824
BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc	9,796	91.92%	40,594
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 ZX 899-1199cc MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Kawasaki ZX 899-1199cc?+

90.44% of Kawasaki ZX 899-1199cc MOT tests end in a pass, based on 2,604 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Kawasaki ZX 899-1199cc?+

Not working, which appears in 45.1% of failed tests on this model.

Does the Kawasaki ZX 899-1199cc get harder to pass as it ages?+

At 11-15 years old the pass rate is 89.88%, against 90.63% for examples 6-10 years old.

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.