MOT reliability

Kawasaki Drifter

Q: Is the Kawasaki Drifter reliable?

Across 30 Kawasaki Drifter vehicles in our MOT data, 87% pass the MOT (a 13% failure rate), with about 0.5 faults or advisories recorded per test.

30 vehicles · 458 completed MOT tests analysed

87%

MOT pass rate

Based on 30 Kawasaki Drifter vehicles and 458 completed MOT tests, the Kawasaki Drifter has an overall 87% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 31,254 miles.

Vehicles

458

MOT tests

1,199

Avg miles / year

0.5

Faults per test

Dangerous-fault share

Kawasaki Drifter problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Kawasaki Drifter MOT tests:

Other79%
Brakes21%
Tyres, wheels & suspension9%
Seatbelts & equipment7%
Emissions & nuisance6%
Lamps & electrical5%
Steering5%
Body & structure2%

Kawasaki Drifter pass rate by age

How the Kawasaki Drifter's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)	Tests	Pass rate
3	6	100%
4	10	100%
5	19	95%
6	28	86%
7	27	81%
8	28	79%
9	19	95%
10	26	81%
11	23	83%
12	24	88%
13	24	88%
14	22	86%
15	24	88%
16	25	76%
17	25	84%
18	21	90%
19	16	94%
20	15	93%

Fuel types: Petrol (30)

Most common Kawasaki Drifter MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Kawasaki Drifter MOT tests:

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii)) (13 times)
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.6) (13 times)
Exhaust noisy (7.1.2) (13 times)
Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a)) (12 times)
Headlamp masks/converters fitted (10 times)
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing (1.4.1) (8 times)
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii)) (7 times)
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (3.2.A1f(i)) (6 times)
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (4.1.3(ii)) (5 times)
Rear Roller brake test indicates a slightly grabbing brake (3.3.A1b) (5 times)
Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (1.2.1 (e)) (5 times)
Drive chain slightly loose (6.2.1d) (5 times)
Front Steering headbearing slightly stiff or notchy (2.2.2 (f) (i)) (4 times)
Wheel alignment slightly misaligned. (2.5.1) (3 times)
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (3.2.A1f(i)) (3 times)

Kawasaki Drifter pass rate by registration year

Year	Vehicles	Tests	Pass rate	Avg mileage
2003	5	77	84%	44,497
2002	5	66	89%	18,210
2001	15	234	85%	33,541
2000	5	81	93%	22,433

Kawasaki Drifter reliability FAQ

Across 30 Kawasaki Drifter vehicles in our MOT data, 87% pass the MOT (a 13% failure rate), with about 0.5 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Kawasaki Drifter MOT issues are: Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii)); Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.6); Exhaust noisy (7.1.2).

The typical Kawasaki Drifter in our data has covered around 31,254 miles.

Compare the Kawasaki Drifter

See how the Kawasaki Drifter stacks up against other Kawasaki models on MOT reliability:

Drifter vs Unknown Drifter vs Zx-6r Drifter vs Zx-9r Drifter vs Zzr600

Check a specific Kawasaki Drifter

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Kawasaki models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks