Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p?

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 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p?

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 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p?

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 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p reliable?

Based on MOT data from 178 vehicles, the 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p has a first-time MOT pass rate of 86%, 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 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p?

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 C5p (2006)

178 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86% first-time pass rate

2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p

CarHunch analysed 178 real MOT records for the 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p. 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 Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2006 Kawasaki ER-500 is struggling at the MOT: a 71.1% first-time pass rate sits well below the UK average of 80%, meaning nearly 3 in 10 riders will face a failure on test. The 18% dangerous defect rate is also a genuine safety concern—issues like brake or lighting failures—so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential before committing to one.

At just 16,000 miles median mileage for an 18-year-old bike, these machines have been lightly ridden, yet they're still averaging 1.4 failures and 5 advisories each at MOT, pointing to age-related wear rather than abuse. Before buying, get a mechanic to check the electrics, brakes, and fuel system, because the advisory pattern suggests these are the weak points on aging examples.

We have limited data for the 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

86%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

18%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.4

Over 9.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

16k

Middle half: 10k–27k

For context

These stats describe 178 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 178 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p

Based on MOT data from 178 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 18% 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%)	177	86%	1.41

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p 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.

16,085

typical

10,125

low mileage

26,958

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p vehicles fall between 10,125 and 26,958 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 10,125 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.

✓ 10,125–26,958 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5ps sit.

⚠ Over 36,393 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5p — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 32% of 2006 Kawasaki Er 500 C5ps are still active.

Numbers are declining — 35 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (32% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

9.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.4

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Kawasaki Er 500 C5p: All Er 500 C5p years → Which year to buy? →

2005

Or browse all models: Kawasaki →

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Average reliability — agree?