Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1988 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 1988 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 1988 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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1988 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 (1988)

258 real MOT outcomes analysed • 11.9% first-time pass rate

1988 Kawasaki Ex500 A1

CarHunch analysed 258 real MOT records for the 1988 Kawasaki Ex500 A1. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 68.1% below UK average

11.9%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

37,469

typical mileage

29,287–44,593 middle half

4.3%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.27

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.8 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1988 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.

Inspection

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

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 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.

29,287

low mileage

37,469

typical

44,593

high mileage

Half of all 1988 Kawasaki Ex500 A1 vehicles fall between 29,287 and 44,593 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.27

Avg failures per vehicle

0.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 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%

Rear suspension bush has slight free play
14.6%

Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. 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.

Other model years — Kawasaki Ex500 A1:

1987