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Kawasaki Ex500 A1 (1987)

457 real MOT outcomes analysed • 10% first-time pass rate

1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1

CarHunch analysed 457 real MOT records for the 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 70% below UK average
10%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
38,774
typical mileage
30,111–48,279 middle half
1.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.15
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1

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 Ex500 A1

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

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 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.

30,111
low mileage
38,774
typical
48,279
high mileage

Half of all 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 vehicles fall between 30,111 and 48,279 miles.

1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 — Still on the Road

11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2017 — 73% of the peak remain.

10 11 2014 2017

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2017.

MOT History Averages

1.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.15
Avg failures per vehicle
0.5
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1

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

  • 31.5%
    Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
  • 22.5%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 21.3%
    Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
  • 19.1%
    Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
  • 15.7%
    Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 14.6%
    Rear Drive chain sprocket slightly worn
  • 14.6%
    Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
  • 14.6%
    Rear suspension bush has slight free play

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Kawasaki Ex500 A1?

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

UK

Other model years — Kawasaki Ex500 A1:

1988