Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8?

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 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8?

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 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8?

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.

Is the 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 179 vehicles, the 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8 are: Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (22.2% of vehicles), Wheel alignment slightly misaligned. (16.7% of vehicles), Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (16.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8?

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 B8 (1991)

179 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.8% first-time pass rate

1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8

CarHunch analysed 179 real MOT records for the 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Compare Models

This 1991 Kawasaki EX305-B8 is below par on its first-time MOT pass rate, hitting 71.8% against the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that suggests these bikes typically need attention before they pass. The good news is dangerous defects are rare at 1.1%, so safety isn't the primary concern here.

These machines have covered modest mileage for their age (median 27,928 miles), yet still rack up an average of 0.18 failures and 0.3 advisories per test, pointing to wear in non-critical areas rather than major structural problems. If you're considering one, budget for pre-purchase inspection work on routine wear items like brakes, cables, and seals—don't expect it to sail through its next MOT without remedial work.

We have limited data for the 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

71.8%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

1.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.18

Over 1.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

28k

Middle half: 18k–32k

For context

These stats describe 179 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 179 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 22.2%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 16.7%

Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies · slight bind rear brake · Brake pedal pivots slightly worn · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 16.7%

Rear suspension bush has slight free play · Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Lighting 16.7%

Wheel alignment slightly misaligned. · Headlamp aim too low · Front Headlamp aim too low · …

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Other issues 11.1%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 179 Kawasaki Ex305 B8 cars.

Before you buy a 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8

Based on MOT data from 179 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 1.1% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8 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.

27,928

typical

18,487

low mileage

32,039

high mileage

Half of all 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8 vehicles fall between 18,487 and 32,039 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 18,487 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.

✓ 18,487–32,039 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1991 Kawasaki Ex305 B8s sit.

⚠ Over 43,252 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

1.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.18

Avg failures per vehicle

0.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Kawasaki Ex305 B8: All Ex305 B8 years → Which year to buy? →

1992 1993

Or browse all models: Kawasaki →

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Buyer beware — pass it on