Kawasaki VN MOT pass rate & common failures

At a glance

Recorded pass rate

0.8 points below the fleet average of 86.5%. The examples tested do not cover a wide enough spread of ages and mileages to compare fairly against the rest of the fleet, so no rank is claimed; the failure record below stands on its own.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

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

1. 1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements21.1%

   30 occurrences

2. 2.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely12.7%

   18 occurrences

3. 3.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm10.6%

   15 occurrences

4. 4.A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps9.2%

   13 occurrences

5. 5.A stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released7.0%

   10 occurrences

6. 6.Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements6.3%

   9 occurrences

7. 7.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning6.3%

   9 occurrences

8. 8.A lamp missing or inoperative5.6%

   8 occurrences

9. 9.Rear registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps4.9%

   7 occurrences

10. 10.Handlebar grip insecure to handlebar4.2%

    6 occurrences

11. 11.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements3.5%

    5 occurrences

12. 12.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted3.5%

    5 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Kawasaki VN tests carrying each advisory.

1. 1.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted13.6%

   221 tests

2. 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements8.2%

   133 tests

3. 3.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm5.4%

   88 tests

4. 4.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely1.8%

   30 tests

5. 5.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements1.6%

   26 tests

6. 6.A main load-bearing structural member corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced1.4%

   23 tests

7. 7.Number plate inscription missing or illegible1.2%

   20 tests

8. 8.Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn1.0%

   17 tests

How wear changes the picture

VN pass rate by age and registration year

What gets tested

The VN fleet

Average mileage recorded at test

18,518

Test classes

class 2: 1,625 · class 1: 2

Compare within the range

Other Kawasaki motorcycles

• Kawasaki ZX89.7%
• Kawasaki ZR88.3%
• Kawasaki EX84.4%
• Kawasaki ER87.2%
• Kawasaki ZX-6R81.4% raw
• Kawasaki KLE87.5%
• All Kawasaki motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Kawasaki VN?

85.7% unadjusted, from 1,627 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.

What does a Kawasaki VN fail its MOT on?

"Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" is recorded in 21.1% of failed Kawasaki VN tests, followed by "A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely" (12.7%). One failed test often lists several items.

What mileage does a Kawasaki VN usually have at its MOT?

18,518 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.