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Kawasaki Ar80 C5 (1987)

119 real MOT outcomes analysed • 1.3% first-time pass rate

1987 Kawasaki Ar80 C5

CarHunch analysed 119 real MOT records for the 1987 Kawasaki Ar80 C5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1987 Kawasaki AR80-C5 is a rare machine—only 119 examples have been tested—and it's in genuine trouble on the road: a 1.3% first-time pass rate obliterates the UK 80% average, meaning nearly 99 out of 100 fail their MOT. The good news is no dangerous defects have been recorded across the entire cohort, so what's breaking isn't a safety issue—it's simply age and obsolescence catching up with a 37-year-old motorcycle.

These bikes have covered modest mileage for their age (median 26,194 miles), which actually highlights the problem: even low-use examples can't pass modern emissions and roadworthiness standards. If you're considering one, treat it as a restoration project rather than a roadworthy buy; factor in the cost of getting it through an MOT before you commit, and get a pre-purchase inspection from someone who knows 1980s Kawasakis inside out.

Below average reliability 78.7% below UK average
1.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
26,194
typical mileage
24,225–26,194 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.01
avg MOT failures per car
over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1987 Kawasaki Ar80 C5

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Kawasaki Ar80 C5

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 Kawasaki Ar80 C5 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

24,225
low mileage
26,194
typical
26,194
high mileage

Half of all 1987 Kawasaki Ar80 C5 vehicles fall between 24,225 and 26,194 miles.

MOT History Averages

1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.01
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Kawasaki Ar80 C5

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 100%
    Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing
  • 100%
    Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick
  • 100%
    Offside Rear Direction indicators not working

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Kawasaki Ar80 C5?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK