The MOT Files

Motorcycle reliability file

Kawasaki KLE MOT pass rate & common failures

From 3,539 recorded MOT tests of the Kawasaki KLE, published by DVSA.

Data updated

Quick answer

The Kawasaki KLE passes 87.5% of MOT tests once adjusted for age and mileage, ranking 24 of 36 motorcycle models, against 86.5% for all motorcycles. The most recorded failure is "A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely", in 22.4% of failed tests.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

87.5%adjusted · 88.0% raw · rank 24 of 363,539 tests

0.9 points above the fleet average of 86.5%.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Kawasaki KLE tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several, so these do not sum to 100%.

  1. 1.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely22.4%

    56 occurrences

  2. 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements22.0%

    55 occurrences

  3. 3.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm11.2%

    28 occurrences

  4. 4.Audible warning not working10.4%

    26 occurrences

  5. 5.A headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED9.2%

    23 occurrences

  6. 6.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn8.4%

    21 occurrences

  7. 7.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake7.2%

    18 occurrences

  8. 8.Contaminated with oil, grease etc5.2%

    13 occurrences

  9. 9.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution4.8%

    12 occurrences

  10. 10.A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps4.0%

    10 occurrences

  11. 11.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning4.0%

    10 occurrences

  12. 12.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn3.6%

    9 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Kawasaki KLE tests carrying each advisory.

  1. 1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements7.7%

    274 tests

  2. 2.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm4.1%

    145 tests

  3. 3.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn4.0%

    142 tests

  4. 4.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted3.3%

    116 tests

  5. 5.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution2.7%

    96 tests

  6. 6.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely2.7%

    95 tests

  7. 7.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn2.4%

    84 tests

  8. 8.Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured2.0%

    71 tests

How wear changes the picture

KLE pass rate by age and registration year

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202291%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201991%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201689%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201386%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier82%

What gets tested

The KLE fleet

Average mileage recorded at test
18,768
Test classes
class 2: 3,532 · class 1: 7
Names grouped into this model (38)
  • KLE 300
  • KLE 300 CHF
  • KLE 300 CJF
  • KLE 500
  • KLE 500 B1P
  • KLE 500 B6F
  • KLE 500 B7F
  • KLE 650
  • KLE 650 A7
  • KLE 650 A7F
  • KLE 650 A8F
  • KLE 650 A9F
  • KLE 650 B7F
  • KLE 650 B8F ABS
  • KLE 650 B9F ABS
  • KLE 650 CAF
  • KLE 650 CBF
  • KLE 650 CCF
  • KLE 650 CDF
  • KLE 650 DAF ABS
  • KLE 650 DBF ABS
  • KLE 650 DCF ABS
  • KLE 650 DDF ABS
  • KLE 650 FHF
  • KLE 650 FHFA SPECIAL EDITION
  • KLE 650 FJF
  • KLE 650 FJFA
  • KLE 650 FKF
  • KLE 650 FKFA
  • KLE 650 FLF
  • KLE 650 FLFA
  • KLE 650 FMFNN
  • KLE 650 HNFAN
  • KLE 650 HNFNN
  • KLE 650 JPFAN
  • KLE 650 JRFAN
  • KLE 650 VERSYS
  • KLE 650C

Compare within the range

Other Kawasaki motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Kawasaki KLE?
87.5% once adjusted for the age and mileage of the motorcycles tested, ranking 24 of 36 motorcycle models, from 3,539 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.
What does a Kawasaki KLE fail its MOT on?
"A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely" is recorded in 22.4% of failed Kawasaki KLE tests, followed by "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (22.0%). One failed test often lists several items.
What mileage does a Kawasaki KLE usually have at its MOT?
18,768 miles on average across every age tested, so a description of the fleet rather than an annual figure. Motorcycle mileages are low and vary enormously with use; a commuter bike and a weekend bike of the same age can differ by a factor of ten.

Analysis built from DVSA data of