Kawasaki 550 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 78 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 35.9%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Kawasaki 550 MOT Reliability Overview
The Kawasaki 550 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 78 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.1% and a failure rate of 35.9%, which is around the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Kawasaki 550 earns a "Average" reliability rating. The average Kawasaki 550 presents for MOT with approximately 26,795 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Kawasaki 550 is Motorcycle brakes, affecting 19.2% of all tests. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. The second most common issue is Motorcycle lighting and signalling at 14.1%. Motorcycle fuel and exhaust rounds out the top three at 7.7%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Brakes | 20.5% | 16 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 14.1% | 11 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 9.0% | 7 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 7.7% | 6 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 7.7% | 6 |
| 6 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 5.1% | 4 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Drive System | 5.1% | 4 |
| 8 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 5.1% | 4 |
| 9 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 3.8% | 3 |
| 10 | Motorcycle Driving Controls | 2.6% | 2 |
| 11 | Motorcycle Reg Plates And Vin | 2.6% | 2 |
| 12 | Motorcycle Suspension | 2.6% | 2 |
| 13 | Motorcycle Steering | 2.6% | 2 |
| 14 | Motorcycle Wheels | 1.3% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 26,795 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle brakes | 7.66 | 20.5% | 16 |
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 5.26 | 14.1% | 11 |
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 3.35 | 9.0% | 7 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 2.87 | 7.7% | 6 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 2.87 | 7.7% | 6 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.91 | 5.1% | 4 |
| Motorcycle drive system | 1.91 | 5.1% | 4 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 1.91 | 5.1% | 4 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 1.44 | 3.8% | 3 |
| Motorcycle driving controls | 0.96 | 2.6% | 2 |
| Motorcycle reg plates and vin | 0.96 | 2.6% | 2 |
| Motorcycle suspension | 0.96 | 2.6% | 2 |
| Motorcycle steering | 0.96 | 2.6% | 2 |
| Motorcycle wheels | 0.48 | 1.3% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Kawasaki 550 has 26,795 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Kawasaki 550 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 13.40% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Kawasaki 550 MOT Data
The Kawasaki 550 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 78 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.1% and a failure rate of 35.9%, which is around the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Kawasaki 550 owners, these results suggest average reliability — some preparation before MOT can improve pass chances. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle brakes and motorcycle lighting and signalling for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 550 is likely to perform.
Motorcycle brakes — 19.2% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 19.2% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki 550. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 14.1% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 14.1% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki 550. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Motorcycle fuel and exhaust — 7.7% of failures
Motorcycle fuel and exhaust issues account for 7.7% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki 550. Motorcycle fuel and exhaust issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Kawasaki 550?
Based on 78 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Kawasaki 550 has an overall pass rate of 64.1% (35.9% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Kawasaki 550?
The top 3 reasons a Kawasaki 550 fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle brakes (19.2%), 2. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (14.1%), 3. Motorcycle fuel and exhaust (7.7%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Kawasaki 550 reliable?
With a 35.9% MOT failure rate, the 550 is about average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Kawasaki 550?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle brakes (19.2%); Motorcycle lighting and signalling (14.1%); Motorcycle fuel and exhaust (7.7%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.