Kawasaki Kz400 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 104 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 16.3%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Kawasaki Kz400 MOT Reliability Overview
The Kawasaki Kz400 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 104 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.7% and a failure rate of 16.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Kawasaki Kz400 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Kawasaki Kz400 presents for MOT with approximately 19,706 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Kawasaki Kz400 is Motorcycle steering and suspension, affecting 8.7% of all tests. 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. The second most common issue is Motorcycle lighting and signalling at 8.7%. Motorcycle body and structure rounds out the top three at 3.8%. 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 Lighting And Signalling | 11.5% | 12 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 8.7% | 9 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Body And Structure | 3.8% | 4 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 3.8% | 4 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Brakes | 1.9% | 2 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Tyres | 1.9% | 2 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 1.9% | 2 |
| 8 | Non-component Advisories | 1.0% | 1 |
| 9 | Motorcycle Drive System | 1.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 19,706 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 | 5.86 | 11.5% | 12 |
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 4.39 | 8.7% | 9 |
| Motorcycle body and structure | 1.95 | 3.8% | 4 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 1.95 | 3.8% | 4 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 0.98 | 1.9% | 2 |
| Motorcycle tyres | 0.98 | 1.9% | 2 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 0.98 | 1.9% | 2 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.49 | 1.0% | 1 |
| Motorcycle drive system | 0.49 | 1.0% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Kawasaki Kz400 has 19,706 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 Kz400 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 8.27% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Kawasaki Kz400 MOT Data
The Kawasaki Kz400 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 104 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.7% and a failure rate of 16.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Kawasaki Kz400 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle steering and suspension 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 Kz400 is likely to perform.
Motorcycle steering and suspension — 8.7% of failures
Motorcycle steering and suspension issues account for 8.7% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki Kz400. 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 lighting and signalling — 8.7% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 8.7% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki Kz400. 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 body and structure — 3.8% of failures
Motorcycle body and structure issues account for 3.8% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki Kz400. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Kawasaki Kz400?
Based on 104 MOT tests in our database, the Kawasaki Kz400 has an overall pass rate of 83.7% (16.3% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Kawasaki Kz400?
The top 3 reasons a Kawasaki Kz400 fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle steering and suspension (8.7%), 2. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (8.7%), 3. Motorcycle body and structure (3.8%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Kawasaki Kz400 reliable?
With a 16.3% MOT failure rate, the Kz400 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Kawasaki Kz400?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle steering and suspension (8.7%); Motorcycle lighting and signalling (8.7%); Motorcycle body and structure (3.8%). 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.