Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5?

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 Ex 500 D5?

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 Ex 500 D5?

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.

How many 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

20% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 284 vehicles, the 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.8%, 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 Ex 500 D5?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Kawasaki Ex 500 D5 (1998)

284 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.8% first-time pass rate

1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5

CarHunch analysed 284 real MOT records for the 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1998 Kawasaki EX 500-D5 is a notably weaker MOT performer, with only 61.1% passing first time against the UK average of 80%—a significant gap that suggests age-related wear is catching up with these nearly three-decade-old bikes. One in five of these machines has recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a legitimate concern for buyers assessing roadworthiness.

At just over 23,000 miles on average, these bikes show relatively modest usage for their age, yet they're still racking up 1.4 failures and 6.0 advisories per test. Budget for routine maintenance and expect that any example you're considering will likely need work on brake components, tyres, or lighting before it passes its next test—have a pre-purchase inspection done by a motorcycle specialist, not a car technician.

We have limited data for the 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 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

81.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

20.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.4

Over 7.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

21k

Middle half: 14k–30k

For context

These stats describe 284 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 284 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5 cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5

Based on MOT data from 284 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 20.1% 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%)	280	81.5%	1.43

Colour Breakdown

Based on 310 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 50.6%

157

Red 49.4%

153

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5 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.

21,252

typical

14,492

low mileage

29,921

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5 vehicles fall between 14,492 and 29,921 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 14,492 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.

✓ 14,492–29,921 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5s sit.

⚠ Over 40,393 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 38% of 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 35 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (38% 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

7.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.4

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Kawasaki Ex 500 D5 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?