Kawasaki Z750 (1981)
1981 Kawasaki Z750
CarHunch analysed 148 real MOT records for the 1981 Kawasaki Z750. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1981 Kawasaki Z750 is about as reliable as the average UK vehicle, with a 79.3% first-time pass rate matching the national 80% benchmark—no red flags there. The dangerous defect rate of 6.8% is well below concerning levels, so safety issues are relatively uncommon across the 148 bikes analysed.
These Z750s typically show modest mileage for their age at around 28,000 miles median, suggesting many have been cherished rather than hard-ridden, which bodes well for longevity. With less than one failure per bike on average and 2.4 advisories per vehicle, expect straightforward maintenance rather than major surprises—focus your pre-purchase inspection on the basics like brake lines, seals, and electrics, where age-related wear shows up first on classics of this era.
What to check before buying a 1981 Kawasaki Z750
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 Z750
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%) | 147 | 79.2% | 0.96 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1981 Kawasaki Z750 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 1981 Kawasaki Z750 vehicles fall between 16,317 and 40,402 miles.
1981 Kawasaki Z750 — Still on the Road
17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 — 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 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1981 Kawasaki Z750
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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13.6%
Exhaust noisy
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12.2%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.6%
Drive chain slightly loose
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11.6%
Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn
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9.9%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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9.9%
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing
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9.2%
Rear Roller brake test indicates a binding brake
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7.8%
Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1981. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kawasaki Z750?
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