Kawasaki
ZR
2,385 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where ZRs pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 9.5 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
87.0%
Pass-after-fix
6.2%
Fail
6.6%
Avg miles
14,477
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Zr: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 1,701 MOT tests, the Zr returns 87.0% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is tyre tread under the limit. A non-conforming number plate and a missing rear reflector round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 13,625, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
Filter failures:
Hide categories
Tick a category to hide it from rankings sitewide. Saved in this browser only.
- 01
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
19 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 02
Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute
16 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 03
Audible warning not working
15 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 04
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
13 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 05
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
12 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 06
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
11 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 07
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
10 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 08
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
8 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 09
Rear registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps
8 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 10
Reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements
8 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Buying or keeping a ZR?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a ZR and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.