Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 231 vehicles, the 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Kawasaki Er 500 A2 (1998)

231 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.4% first-time pass rate

1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2

CarHunch analysed 231 real MOT records for the 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1998 Kawasaki ER 500-A2 has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 26.5%, a stark 53.5 percentage points below the UK average of 80%. Dangerous defects are rare at 2.6%, so safety-critical failures aren't the primary concern here—instead, you're looking at a bike that consistently needs work to pass basic standards.

These motorcycles are relatively lightly used for their age (median 23,180 miles), yet still average 0.35 failures and 1.3 advisories per test, suggesting wear-related issues rather than abuse. Before buying one, budget for immediate repairs or a pre-purchase inspection, because nearly three-quarters of these bikes will fail their next MOT as-presented.

We have limited data for the 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

81.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

2.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.35

Over 2.3 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

23k

Middle half: 15k–38k

For context

These stats describe 231 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 231 Kawasaki Er 500 A2 cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2

Based on MOT data from 231 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 2.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	228	81.2%	0.36

Colour Breakdown

Based on 258 Kawasaki Er 500 A2 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 38.8%

100

Blue 29.8%

Red 29.1%

Black 2.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

23,180

typical

14,863

low mileage

38,235

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2 vehicles fall between 14,863 and 38,235 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 14,863 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 14,863–38,235 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2s sit.

⚠ Over 51,617 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

2.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.35

Avg failures per vehicle

1.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Kawasaki Er 500 A2 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?