1981 Kawasaki Kz1100 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Kz1100 models manufactured in 1981, based on 38 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1981 Kawasaki Kz1100 MOT Analysis
The 1981 Kawasaki Kz1100 has an MOT pass rate of 78.9% based on 38 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 35,859 miles on the odometer. With a 21.1% failure rate, the 1981 Kz1100 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1981 Kawasaki Kz1100 is Motorcycle suspension, responsible for 7.9% of failures. 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 range from £200–500. Motorcycle tyres is the second most common issue at 2.6%. Motorcycle brakes follows at 2.6%.
Top failures specific to 1981 models only. The overall Kz1100 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Suspension | 7.9% | 3 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Tyres | 2.6% | 1 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Brakes | 2.6% | 1 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 2.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 35,859 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.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle suspension | 2.20 | 7.9% | 3 |
| Motorcycle tyres | 0.73 | 2.6% | 1 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 0.73 | 2.6% | 1 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 0.73 | 2.6% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1981 Kawasaki Kz1100 has an MOT pass rate of 78.9% based on 38 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 35,859 miles on the odometer. With a 21.1% failure rate, the 1981 Kz1100 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1981 Kawasaki Kz1100, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to motorcycle suspension: 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. With relatively low average mileage of 35,859 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Motorcycle suspension — 7.9% of failures
Motorcycle suspension issues account for 7.9% of MOT failures on 1981 Kawasaki Kz1100 models. 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.
Motorcycle tyres — 2.6% of failures
Motorcycle tyres issues account for 2.6% of MOT failures on 1981 Kawasaki Kz1100 models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Motorcycle brakes — 2.6% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 2.6% of MOT failures on 1981 Kawasaki Kz1100 models. 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).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.