Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1?

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 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1?

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 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1?

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 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 457 vehicles, the 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 are: Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (31.5% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (22.5% of vehicles), Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey (21.3% 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 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1?

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 Ex500 A1 (1987)

457 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.6% first-time pass rate

1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1

CarHunch analysed 457 real MOT records for the 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 457 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (77.6%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

First-time pass

77.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

1.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.15

Over 1.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

39k

Middle half: 30k–48k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

These stats describe 457 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?

What tends to go wrong

Across 457 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 31.5%

Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · …

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

Tyre wear 22.5%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear 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.

Exhaust & emissions 21.3%

Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey

Other issues 19.1%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive

Suspension & steering 14.6%

Rear suspension bush has slight free play · Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion · Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil · …

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

Lighting 14.6%

Rear Drive chain sprocket slightly worn · Drive chain slightly loose · Rear reflector on motorcycle missing

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 457 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 cars.

Before you buy a 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1

Based on MOT data from 457 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 1.8% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 725 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 46.8%

339

Black 45.1%

327

Blue 3.4%

Green 1.8%

White 1.5%

Yellow 0.7%

Purple 0.7%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 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.

38,774

typical

30,111

low mileage

48,279

high mileage

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

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 30,111 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.

✓ 30,111–48,279 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1s sit.

⚠ Over 65,176 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 — Still on the Road

Most 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1s are still being driven.

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

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

Other model years — Kawasaki Ex500 A1: All Ex500 A1 years → Which year to buy? →

1988

Or browse all models: Kawasaki →

Compare with another model

See how the 1987 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?