Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Kawasaki Z750 P5?

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 1987 Kawasaki Z750 P5?

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 1987 Kawasaki Z750 P5?

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.

What are common problems with the 1987 Kawasaki Z750 P5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1987 Kawasaki Z750 P5 are: Exhaust noisy (37.5% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (25% of vehicles), Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (12.5% 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 1987 Kawasaki Z750 P5?

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 Z750 P5 (1987)

131 real MOT outcomes analysed

1987 Kawasaki Z750 P5

CarHunch has 131 1987 Kawasaki Z750 P5 vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Compare Models

No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1987 Kawasaki Z750 P5 doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other Kawasaki vehicles below.

Browse all Kawasaki models →

No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Kawasaki Z750 P5 you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

The Kawasaki Z750-P5 sits outside the standard MOT testing regime — this 1987 motorcycle falls under DVSA motorcycle testing rather than the light-vehicle database, so comparable UK averages don't apply here. What we can say from the cohort is that these machines are genuinely rare survivors: only 131 examples have records, they average just under 39,000 miles, and those tested show virtually no serious defects (zero dangerous faults recorded). If you're considering one, focus on maintenance history and the condition of consumables like tyres, brakes, and seals rather than relying on MOT comparisons — find an independent motorcycle specialist to inspect the engine, gearbox, and frame for signs of wear before you commit.

MOT statistics not available

We have 131 1987 Kawasaki Z750 P5 vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT

Check on the official DVSA service →

What tends to go wrong

Across 131 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 37.5%

Exhaust noisy

Tyre wear 25%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · front tyre starting to perish

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 12.5%

Front Brake disc(s) slightly worn · Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released

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

Suspension & steering 12.5%

Rear Rear suspension bush has slight free play rear swinging arm bushes · Front Front wheel bearings are excessively rough · Rear Suspension arm modified and seriously weakened · …

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

Lighting 12.5%

Riders seat slightly loose · Headlamp aim too high · Centre Headlamp aim too low · …

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

Other issues 12.5%

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly · Horn not working · Registration plate insecure

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987.

Before you buy a 1987 Kawasaki Z750 P5

Based on MOT data from 131 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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

Other model years — Kawasaki Z750 P5: All Z750 P5 years → Which year to buy? →

1988 1989 1990 1991

Or browse all models: Kawasaki →

Compare with another model

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