Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5?

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 Ex500 A5?

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 Ex500 A5?

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 Ex500 A5 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 320 vehicles, the 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5 are: Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (43.8% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (26% of vehicles), Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey (25% 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 Ex500 A5?

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 A5 (1991)

320 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.6% first-time pass rate

1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5

CarHunch analysed 320 real MOT records for the 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 320 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (81.6%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

First-time pass

81.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

3.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.46

Over 2.9 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

30k

Middle half: 23k–35k

For context

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

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 1.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

These stats describe 320 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 320 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 43.8%

Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Front Brake disc(s) slightly worn · Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies · …

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

Tyre wear 26%

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 25%

Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey · Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey

Lighting 17.7%

Drive chain slightly loose · Wheel alignment slightly misaligned. · Drive chain slightly tight

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

Suspension & steering 15.6%

Rear suspension bush has slight free play · Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect · Rear shock absorber has a light misting

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

Other issues 12.5%

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 320 Kawasaki Ex500 A5 cars.

Before you buy a 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5

Based on MOT data from 320 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 3.8% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	319	81.6%	0.45

Colour Breakdown

Based on 386 Kawasaki Ex500 A5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 56.7%

219

Red 39.1%

151

Blue 2.6%

Green 1.6%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5 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.

29,919

typical

23,295

low mileage

35,361

high mileage

Half of all 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5 vehicles fall between 23,295 and 35,361 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 23,295 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.

✓ 23,295–35,361 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5s sit.

⚠ Over 47,737 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 59% of 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5s are still active.

17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 — 59% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

2.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.46

Avg failures per vehicle

1.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 1991 Kawasaki Ex500 A5 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?