Kawasaki Zr 550 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 45 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 22.2%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Kawasaki Zr 550 MOT Reliability Overview
The Kawasaki Zr 550 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 45 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.8% and a failure rate of 22.2%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Kawasaki Zr 550 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Kawasaki Zr 550 presents for MOT with approximately 23,831 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Kawasaki Zr 550 is Motorcycle brakes, affecting 13.3% 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 tyres and wheels at 11.1%. Motorcycle steering and suspension rounds out the top three at 11.1%. 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 Steering And Suspension | 13.3% | 6 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 13.3% | 6 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Brakes | 13.3% | 6 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 6.7% | 3 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Drive System | 2.2% | 1 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Driving Controls | 2.2% | 1 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 2.2% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 23,831 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 steering and suspension | 5.59 | 13.3% | 6 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 5.59 | 13.3% | 6 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 5.59 | 13.3% | 6 |
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 2.80 | 6.7% | 3 |
| Motorcycle drive system | 0.93 | 2.2% | 1 |
| Motorcycle driving controls | 0.93 | 2.2% | 1 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 0.93 | 2.2% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Kawasaki Zr 550 has 23,831 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 Zr 550 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 9.32% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Kawasaki Zr 550 MOT Data
The Kawasaki Zr 550 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 45 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.8% and a failure rate of 22.2%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Kawasaki Zr 550 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle brakes and motorcycle tyres and wheels 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 Zr 550 is likely to perform.
Motorcycle brakes — 13.3% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 13.3% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki Zr 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 tyres and wheels — 11.1% of failures
Motorcycle tyres and wheels issues account for 11.1% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki Zr 550. 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 steering and suspension — 11.1% of failures
Motorcycle steering and suspension issues account for 11.1% of MOT failures on the Kawasaki Zr 550. 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 Zr 550?
Based on 45 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Kawasaki Zr 550 has an overall pass rate of 77.8% (22.2% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Kawasaki Zr 550?
The top 3 reasons a Kawasaki Zr 550 fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle brakes (13.3%), 2. Motorcycle tyres and wheels (11.1%), 3. Motorcycle steering and suspension (11.1%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Kawasaki Zr 550 reliable?
With a 22.2% MOT failure rate, the Zr 550 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Kawasaki Zr 550?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle brakes (13.3%); Motorcycle tyres and wheels (11.1%); Motorcycle steering and suspension (11.1%). 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.