Kawasaki Er500 A3 (1999)
1999 Kawasaki Er500 A3
CarHunch analysed 196 real MOT records for the 1999 Kawasaki Er500 A3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1999 Kawasaki ER500-A3 is a genuinely unreliable prospect on the MOT, with a 35% first-time pass rate that's less than half the UK average of 80%. Only 3.1% of these bikes have ever recorded a dangerous defect, so safety isn't the primary concern—it's simply that most of these 25-year-old machines are in poor mechanical condition.
At 22,576 miles median mileage, these bikes are sitting unusually low for their age, suggesting they've either been garage-kept or are now abandoned projects. An average of 0.37 failures and 1.0 advisories per test means corrosion, worn components, and tired mechanicals are the norm; before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection from a motorcycle specialist and budget for immediate work on ignition, exhaust, and brake systems.
What to check before buying a 1999 Kawasaki Er500 A3
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 Er500 A3
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 (96%) | 188 | 32.6% | 0.37 |
| Other (4%) | 8 | 92.5% | 0.25 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Kawasaki Er500 A3 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 Er500 A3 vehicles fall between 13,766 and 33,772 miles.
1999 Kawasaki Er500 A3 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024, 83% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1999 Kawasaki Er500 A3
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
20%
Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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12.3%
Drive chain slightly loose
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12.3%
Rear Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort
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12.3%
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
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10.8%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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9.2%
Drive chain sprocket carrier worn but not considered excessive
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9.2%
Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
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9.2%
Steering headbearing has slight free play
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kawasaki Er500 A3?
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