Kawasaki
ZX 9R
4,310 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where ZX 9Rs pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 6.1 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
83.6%
Pass-after-fix
5.7%
Fail
10.5%
Avg miles
31,187
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-9r: above-average pass rates, with caveats
Across 2,732 MOT tests, the Zx-9r returns 83.2% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. A binding brake and tyre tread under the limit round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 30,645, 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
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
80 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 02
Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute
59 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 03
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
47 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 04
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
46 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 05
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
41 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 06
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
37 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 07
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
33 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 08
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
25 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 09
A tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned likely which could cause sudden deflation of the tyre
21 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 10
Audible warning not working
18 occurrences · 0.4% 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 ZX 9R?
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 9R 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.