Kawasaki Z1000 (2003)
2003 Kawasaki Z1000
CarHunch analysed 262 real MOT records for the 2003 Kawasaki Z1000. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 passes its MOT first time in 86.5% of cases, which is a solid 6.5 points ahead of the UK average—suggesting these bikes are generally well-maintained or built to last. A dangerous defect rate of 15.3% is worth noting for a buyer, though not alarming, and you should budget for an average of 1.9 failures per test cycle.
The median mileage of just 15,317 is remarkably low for a 20-year-old sports bike, indicating these are cherished machines rather than daily runners, which explains both the reliability and the high advisory count of 6.2 per vehicle—wear and tear warnings accumulate on older bikes even when they're sound. Before purchase, ask for full service history and have a pre-buy inspection focus on the suspension, brakes, and fuel system, since those tend to rack up advisories on machines this age.
What to check before buying a 2003 Kawasaki Z1000
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 Z1000
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 260 | 86.4% | 1.92 |
| Other (1%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 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 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 vehicles fall between 9,590 and 22,267 miles.
2003 Kawasaki Z1000 — Still on the Road
108 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 68% 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 — 2003 Kawasaki Z1000
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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76.2%
Exhaust noisy
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57.3%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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48.9%
Exhaust noisy
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47.1%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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41%
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing
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23.3%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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22.5%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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17.2%
Drive chain slightly loose
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kawasaki Z1000?
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