Kawasaki Ex305 B5 (1989)
1989 Kawasaki Ex305 B5
CarHunch analysed 366 real MOT records for the 1989 Kawasaki Ex305 B5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1989 Kawasaki EX305-B5 is a deeply unreliable proposition by modern standards, with only a 6.1% first-time pass rate against the UK average of 80%—meaning 94 out of every 100 will fail their MOT on first attempt. Dangerous defects are vanishingly rare at 0.8%, so safety isn't the primary concern; the problem is sheer mechanical decay across the board.
At nearly 35 years old, these bikes are averaging just 26,344 miles, which sounds low until you realise how many have been sitting unused or neglected for decades. The minimal failure and advisory counts (0.07 and 0.2 per vehicle respectively) suggest most simply aren't being tested regularly enough to accumulate records—what you're really seeing is a cohort of elderly machines in poor preservation. If you're considering one, factor in serious restoration work and expect to treat it as a project rather than reliable transport.
What to check before buying a 1989 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.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1989 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.
Half of all 1989 Kawasaki Ex305 B5 vehicles fall between 19,400 and 31,178 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 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.
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26%
Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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26%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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23.4%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.6%
Rear suspension bush has slight free play
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15.6%
Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect
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11.7%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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11.7%
Headlamp aim too low
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10.4%
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. 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.