Kawasaki
ZX 6R
7,540 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where ZX 6Rs pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 3.7 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
81.2%
Pass-after-fix
6.1%
Fail
12.4%
Avg miles
27,605
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
Zx-6r: above-average pass rates, with caveats
Across 5,203 MOT tests, the Zx-6r returns 81.1% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. Tyre tread under the limit and a binding brake round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 27,419, 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.
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- 01
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
177 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 02
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
101 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 03
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
93 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 04
Audible warning not working
72 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 05
Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute
65 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 06
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
59 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 07
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
55 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 08
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
50 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 09
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
49 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 10
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
44 occurrences · 0.6% 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.
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Buying or keeping a ZX 6R?
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 ZX 6R 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.