Kawasaki Er5 (1999)
1999 Kawasaki Er5
CarHunch analysed 840 real MOT records for the 1999 Kawasaki Er5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1999 Kawasaki ER5 passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 81.5%, which is a solid result for a 25-year-old bike—but the concerning part is that nearly a quarter of these machines (22.6%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, making this a reliability gamble. That elevated risk of serious faults suggests mechanical gremlins beyond the routine wear you'd expect.
With median mileage sitting at 23,232 miles for bikes now in their mid-20s, these are relatively low-mileage examples, yet they're still averaging 2.07 failures and 7.3 advisories per test cycle. Before buying, have any prospective bike thoroughly inspected by a specialist—these ER5s clearly need close scrutiny to spot the latent problems that trip up nearly a quarter of them.
What to check before buying a 1999 Kawasaki Er5
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.
- ⚠️ 22.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Er5
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 839 | 81.5% | 2.07 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 88.9% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Kawasaki Er5 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.
Half of all 1999 Kawasaki Er5 vehicles fall between 15,359 and 32,813 miles.
1999 Kawasaki Er5 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 103 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (27% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1999 Kawasaki Er5
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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51.4%
Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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43.5%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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41.7%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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25.5%
Drive chain slightly loose
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25.4%
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
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19.9%
Drive chain sprocket carrier worn but not considered excessive
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17.1%
Headlamp aim too low
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16.8%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kawasaki Er5?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.