MOT reliability

Kawasaki Zephyr 550

Q: Is the Kawasaki Zephyr 550 reliable?

Across 1,074 Kawasaki Zephyr 550 vehicles in our MOT data, 82% pass the MOT (a 18% failure rate), with about 0.9 faults or advisories recorded per test.

1,074 vehicles · 9,218 completed MOT tests analysed

82%

MOT pass rate

Based on 1,074 Kawasaki Zephyr 550 vehicles and 9,218 completed MOT tests, the Kawasaki Zephyr 550 has an overall 82% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 30,855 miles.

1,074

Vehicles

9,218

MOT tests

935

Avg miles / year

0.9

Faults per test

Dangerous-fault share

Kawasaki Zephyr 550 problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Kawasaki Zephyr 550 MOT tests:

Other83%
Steering10%
Brakes9%
Tyres, wheels & suspension5%
Body & structure3%
Lamps & electrical3%
Seatbelts & equipment1%
Emissions & nuisance1%

Kawasaki Zephyr 550 pass rate by age

How the Kawasaki Zephyr 550's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)	Tests	Pass rate
1	2	100%
2	2	50%
4	3	67%
5	6	67%
6	15	67%
7	33	82%
8	62	85%
9	128	79%
10	148	86%
11	210	82%
12	288	82%
13	426	82%
14	551	80%
15	716	80%
16	656	79%
17	623	83%
18	617	78%
19	561	81%
20	529	79%

Fuel types: Petrol (1,074)

Most common Kawasaki Zephyr 550 MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Kawasaki Zephyr 550 MOT tests:

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii)) (306 times)
Drive chain slightly loose (6.2.1d) (266 times)
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii)) (264 times)
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d) (193 times)
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (3.2.A1f(i)) (154 times)
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive (6.2.1e) (139 times)
Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn (3.2.A1l) (139 times)
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey (7.1.1b) (136 times)
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake (3.3.A1a) (129 times)
Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3) (110 times)
Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3) (91 times)
Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d) (90 times)
Headlamp aim too low (1.6) (85 times)
Rear wheel bearings have slight free play (2.4.A.2c) (84 times)
Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (4.1.3(ii)) (84 times)

Kawasaki Zephyr 550 pass rate by registration year

Year	Vehicles	Tests	Pass rate	Avg mileage
2019	1	7	71%	25,568
2014	1	2	100%	62,723
2003	1	10	60%	13,292
2002	2	16	81%	35,592
2001	2	19	79%	24,616
2000	8	82	77%	29,343
1999	20	198	89%	22,419
1998	32	405	85%	30,919
1997	54	593	83%	32,058
1996	68	644	82%	23,427
1995	80	736	84%	25,322
1994	109	961	81%	30,457
1993	171	1,526	80%	33,949
1992	209	1,589	80%	32,692
1991	294	2,282	81%	31,599
1990	21	143	77%	27,982
1971	1	5	60%	38,556

Kawasaki Zephyr 550 reliability FAQ

Across 1,074 Kawasaki Zephyr 550 vehicles in our MOT data, 82% pass the MOT (a 18% failure rate), with about 0.9 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Kawasaki Zephyr 550 MOT issues are: Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii)); Drive chain slightly loose (6.2.1d); Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii)).

The typical Kawasaki Zephyr 550 in our data has covered around 30,855 miles.

Compare the Kawasaki Zephyr 550

See how the Kawasaki Zephyr 550 stacks up against other Kawasaki models on MOT reliability:

Zephyr 550 vs Unknown Zephyr 550 vs Zx-6r Zephyr 550 vs Zx-9r Zephyr 550 vs Zzr600

Check a specific Kawasaki Zephyr 550

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