Kawasaki ZXR400 MOT pass rate and common failures

Kawasaki ZXR400 motorcycles pass the MOT 88.69% of the time, measured across 221 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.07% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

About average - within 1.8 points of the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.
Pass rate 88.69% 196 of 221
Fixed at the station 4.07% passed after an on-the-spot repair
Average mileage at test 24,177 miles
Average age at test 28.17 years old
Engine 398cc MOT class 1 and 2
For sale now 0 Kawasaki ZXR400 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 37.5% of failed tests on this model.
  • Then check excessively binding and inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, the next two most common reasons.
  • The most common advisory is has a serious fluid leak (8.6% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
  • Average recorded mileage at test is 24,177 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 88.69% 221

Why the Kawasaki ZXR400 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 37.5% 6
2 Excessively binding 25% 4
3 Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps 25% 4
4 Missing 25% 4
5 Too low 25% 4
6 Remains on when the brakes are released 18.8% 3
7 Has a serious fluid leak 12.5% 2
8 Not working on main beam 12.5% 2
9 Restricted in free movement from lock to lock 12.5% 2
10 Effort inadequate at a wheel 6.3% 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 Has a serious fluid leak 8.6% 19
2 Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 5.9% 13
3 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 4.5% 10
4 Excessively binding 2.7% 6
5 Excessively loose 2.7% 6
6 Less than 1.0 mm thick 2.7% 6
7 Worn to excess 2.7% 6
8 Excessively tight 1.4% 3
9 Has a major leak of exhaust gases 1.4% 3
10 In such a condition that it is seriously weakened 1.4% 3

Kawasaki ZXR400 for sale

No Kawasaki ZXR400 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
Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc 5,400 89.76% 19,444
Royal Enfield HIMALAYAN · 411cc 2,371 88.49% 8,163
Royal Enfield METEOR 350 · 349cc 2,133 93.95% 4,543
Honda NSS 250-297cc · 250-297cc 1,397 90.34% 17,407
Honda CB500 · 497cc 1,300 84.08% 34,941
Honda CRF 300 LA-M · 286cc 1,297 88.43% 3,963

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

Kawasaki ZXR400 MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Kawasaki ZXR400?+
88.69% of Kawasaki ZXR400 MOT tests end in a pass, based on 221 tests in the DVSA dataset.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Kawasaki ZXR400?+
Not working, which appears in 37.5% 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.
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