Kawasaki W650 (1999)
1999 Kawasaki W650
CarHunch analysed 291 real MOT records for the 1999 Kawasaki W650. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1999 Kawasaki W650 is a genuinely reliable bike—its 91% first-time MOT pass rate sits comfortably 11 points above the UK average of 80%, and only 7.9% of examples have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is reassuringly low. You're looking at a machine that, when maintained properly, tends to pass its tests without drama.
The median mileage of 13,988 miles is notably conservative for a 25-year-old motorcycle, suggesting these are typically cherished machines rather than thrashed commuters. With an average of 1.29 failures and 3.2 advisories per vehicle, the typical issues are minor wear items rather than structural problems—so if you find one with a full service history, run a pre-purchase inspection on the electrics and exhaust hangers, which are the usual weak points on this age of machine.
What to check before buying a 1999 Kawasaki W650
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 W650
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 (99%) | 289 | 91% | 1.29 |
| Diesel (1%) | 2 | 90.9% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Kawasaki W650 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 1999 Kawasaki W650 vehicles fall between 8,662 and 20,734 miles.
1999 Kawasaki W650 — Still on the Road
131 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 67% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1999 Kawasaki W650
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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44.9%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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41.5%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.5%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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18.6%
Headlamp aim too low
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15.7%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15%
Exhaust noisy
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13.3%
Exhaust noisy
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12.6%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kawasaki W650?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.