Kawasaki Kz1100 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 182 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 15.4%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Kawasaki Kz1100 MOT Reliability Overview
The Kawasaki Kz1100 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 182 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 3 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.6% and a failure rate of 15.4%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Kawasaki Kz1100 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Kawasaki Kz1100 presents for MOT with approximately 32,360 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 1982 models achieve the highest pass rate at 91.2%, while 1983 models have the lowest at 78.4%. This 12.8 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Kawasaki Kz1100 is Motorcycle lamps and reflectors, affecting 6.0% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Motorcycle lighting and signalling at 4.9%. Motorcycle steering and suspension rounds out the top three at 2.2%. 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
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* 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 Lighting And Signalling | 6.6% | 12 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 6.0% | 11 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Brakes | 3.8% | 7 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 2.2% | 4 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Suspension | 1.6% | 3 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 1.1% | 2 |
| 7 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.1% | 2 |
| 8 | Motorcycle Audible Warning (Horn) | 1.1% | 2 |
| 9 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 1.1% | 2 |
| 10 | Motorcycle Wheels | 0.5% | 1 |
| 11 | Items Not Tested | 0.5% | 1 |
| 12 | Motorcycle Tyres | 0.5% | 1 |
| 13 | Motorcycle Sidecar | 0.5% | 1 |
| 14 | Motorcycle Reg Plates And Vin | 0.5% | 1 |
| 15 | Motorcycle Drive System | 0.5% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 32,360 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 lighting and signalling | 2.04 | 6.6% | 12 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 1.87 | 6.0% | 11 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 1.19 | 3.8% | 7 |
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 0.68 | 2.2% | 4 |
| Motorcycle suspension | 0.51 | 1.6% | 3 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 0.34 | 1.1% | 2 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.34 | 1.1% | 2 |
| Motorcycle audible warning (Horn) | 0.34 | 1.1% | 2 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 0.34 | 1.1% | 2 |
| Motorcycle wheels | 0.17 | 0.5% | 1 |
| Items Not Tested | 0.17 | 0.5% | 1 |
| Motorcycle tyres | 0.17 | 0.5% | 1 |
| Motorcycle sidecar | 0.17 | 0.5% | 1 |
| Motorcycle reg plates and vin | 0.17 | 0.5% | 1 |
| Motorcycle drive system | 0.17 | 0.5% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Kawasaki Kz1100 has 32,360 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 Kz1100 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 4.76% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Kawasaki Kz1100 MOT Data
The Kawasaki Kz1100 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 182 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 3 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.6% and a failure rate of 15.4%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Kawasaki Kz1100 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle lamps and reflectors 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 Kz1100 is likely to perform.
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors — 6.0% of failures
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors issues account for 6.0% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki Kz1100. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 4.9% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 4.9% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki Kz1100. 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 steering and suspension — 2.2% of failures
Motorcycle steering and suspension issues account for 2.2% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki Kz1100. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Kawasaki Kz1100?
Based on 182 MOT tests in our database, the Kawasaki Kz1100 has an overall pass rate of 84.6% (15.4% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Kawasaki Kz1100?
The top 3 reasons a Kawasaki Kz1100 fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle lamps and reflectors (6.0%), 2. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (4.9%), 3. Motorcycle steering and suspension (2.2%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Kawasaki Kz1100 reliable?
With a 15.4% MOT failure rate, the Kz1100 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Kawasaki Kz1100?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle lamps and reflectors (6.0%); Motorcycle lighting and signalling (4.9%); Motorcycle steering and suspension (2.2%). 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.