Kawasaki Vn1500 (2002)
2002 Kawasaki Vn1500
CarHunch analysed 106 real MOT records for the 2002 Kawasaki Vn1500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Kawasaki VN1500 passes its MOT first time in 89.8% of cases, well above the UK average of 80%, suggesting these cruisers are generally well-maintained and reliable. The 15.1% of vehicles that have ever suffered a dangerous defect is within acceptable bounds for a 22-year-old bike, so safety concerns needn't be a dealbreaker.
With a median mileage of just 18,810 miles for bikes of this age, these are typically low-use leisure cruisers rather than commuters, which explains why they rack up fewer failures (1.36 per vehicle) and mainly minor advisory items (4.6 per vehicle). If you're considering one, check the service history carefully and budget for routine maintenance like chain, fluid, and electrical work—those advisories point to age-related wear rather than design flaws.
What to check before buying a 2002 Kawasaki Vn1500
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 Vn1500
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 104 | 89.6% | 1.38 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Kawasaki Vn1500 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.
Half of all 2002 Kawasaki Vn1500 vehicles fall between 10,841 and 26,000 miles.
2002 Kawasaki Vn1500 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 43 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 81% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Kawasaki Vn1500
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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87.3%
Exhaust noisy
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59.5%
Exhaust noisy
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48.6%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.7%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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17.6%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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17.6%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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16.3%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kawasaki Vn1500?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.
Other model years — Kawasaki Vn1500: