1981 Kawasaki Z1100 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Z1100 models manufactured in 1981, based on 249 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1981 Kawasaki Z1100 MOT Analysis
The 1981 Kawasaki Z1100 has an MOT pass rate of 86.7% based on 249 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 30,420 miles on the odometer. With a 13.3% failure rate, the 1981 Z1100 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1981 Kawasaki Z1100 is Motorcycle suspension, responsible for 1.2% 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. Identification of the vehicle is the second most common issue at 0.8%. Motorcycle lamps and reflectors follows at 0.4%.
Top failures specific to 1981 models only. The overall Z1100 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 | 1.2% | 3 |
| 2 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.8% | 2 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 0.4% | 1 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Steering | 0.4% | 1 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 0.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 30,420 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 | 0.40 | 1.2% | 3 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.26 | 0.8% | 2 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 0.13 | 0.4% | 1 |
| Motorcycle steering | 0.13 | 0.4% | 1 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 0.13 | 0.4% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1981 Kawasaki Z1100 has an MOT pass rate of 86.7% based on 249 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 30,420 miles on the odometer. With a 13.3% failure rate, the 1981 Z1100 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1981 Kawasaki Z1100, 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 30,420 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Motorcycle suspension — 1.2% of failures
Motorcycle suspension issues account for 1.2% of MOT failures on 1981 Kawasaki Z1100 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.
Identification of the vehicle — 0.8% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 0.8% of MOT failures on 1981 Kawasaki Z1100 models. Identification failures relate to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plate. The VIN must be permanently displayed and legible, and the registration plate must meet British Standard formatting. Typical repair costs: £10–50. Pre-MOT check: Ensure the VIN plate is visible and legible (usually in the windscreen or under the bonnet). Check that number plates are clean, undamaged, and use the correct font and spacing.
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors — 0.4% of failures
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 1981 Kawasaki Z1100 models. 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.