Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1988 Kawasaki Ex305 B5?

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 1988 Kawasaki Ex305 B5?

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 1988 Kawasaki Ex305 B5?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1988 Kawasaki Ex305 B5?

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 Ex305 B5 (1988)

321 real MOT outcomes analysed • 5% first-time pass rate

1988 Kawasaki Ex305 B5

CarHunch analysed 321 real MOT records for the 1988 Kawasaki Ex305 B5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 75% below UK average

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

27,195

typical mileage

19,481–31,178 middle half

0.3%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.06

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1988 Kawasaki Ex305 B5

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 Ex305 B5

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 Kawasaki Ex305 B5 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.

19,481

low mileage

27,195

typical

31,178

high mileage

Half of all 1988 Kawasaki Ex305 B5 vehicles fall between 19,481 and 31,178 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.06

Avg failures per vehicle

0.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Kawasaki Ex305 B5

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

28.6%

Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
23.8%

Rear suspension bush has slight free play
19%

Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
19%

Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
14.3%

Headlamp aim too high
14.3%

Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect.
14.3%

Rear suspension bearing has slight free play
9.5%

Gearbox sprocket retaining nut loose.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Kawasaki Ex305 B5?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Kawasaki Ex305 B5:

1987 1989 1990 1991