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Kawasaki Z250 C2 (1982)

150 real MOT outcomes analysed • 1.2% first-time pass rate

1982 Kawasaki Z250 C2

CarHunch analysed 150 real MOT records for the 1982 Kawasaki Z250 C2. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1982 Kawasaki Z250-C2 is essentially unrideable: just 1.2% pass on first attempt versus the UK average of 80%, meaning 98 out of 100 fail their MOT right away. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent entirely (0%), so failures aren't safety catastrophes—they're just the inevitable decay of a 40+ year old machine.

The median mileage of 25,888 miles is genuinely low for a bike this old, suggesting most survivors are cherished collectibles rather than daily riders, which explains why advisories are essentially zero. If you're considering one, accept that an MOT will be a tuning project, not a formality—budget for carburetor work, brake lines, and wiring restoration before you ride it.

Below average reliability 78.8% below UK average
1.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
25,888
typical mileage
14,392–25,888 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.01
avg MOT failures per car
over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1982 Kawasaki Z250 C2

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 Z250 C2

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1982 Kawasaki Z250 C2 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.

14,392
low mileage
25,888
typical
25,888
high mileage

Half of all 1982 Kawasaki Z250 C2 vehicles fall between 14,392 and 25,888 miles.

MOT History Averages

1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.01
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Kawasaki Z250 C2

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 200%
    Front Front suspension has a slightly reduced damping effect
  • 100%
    Rear Brake locking device missing

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Kawasaki Z250 C2?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Kawasaki Z250 C2:

1983