Kawasaki common problems and MOT failures
From 110,673 MOT tests in 2024, 7.5% of Kawasaki vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Kawasaki MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely | 1,203 |
| 2 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 960 |
| 3 | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 787 |
| 4 | direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 534 |
| 5 | brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm | 526 |
| 6 | reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear | 522 |
| 7 | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 489 |
| 8 | transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn | 469 |
| 9 | number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 454 |
| 10 | rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 449 |
What this means if you're buying a Kawasaki
The single most common MOT failure for Kawasaki is shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, accounting for 19% of all failure items.
These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Kawasaki vehicles. If you're viewing a used Kawasaki, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Buying a specific Kawasaki? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK