Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Kawasaki Zg?

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 2016 Kawasaki Zg?

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 2016 Kawasaki Zg?

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.

Is the 2016 Kawasaki Zg reliable?

Based on MOT data from 115 vehicles, the 2016 Kawasaki Zg has a first-time MOT pass rate of 94.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Kawasaki Zg?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Kawasaki Zg are: Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (38.2% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (29% of vehicles), COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION (22.1% 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 2016 Kawasaki Zg?

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 Zg (2016)

115 real MOT outcomes analysed • 94.3% first-time pass rate

2016 Kawasaki Zg

CarHunch analysed 115 real MOT records for the 2016 Kawasaki Zg. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2016 Kawasaki ZG is significantly more reliable than the UK average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of 94.3% compared to 80%—this is a genuinely impressive result for a motorcycle of this age. Dangerous defects are relatively rare at 7.8%, so safety-critical issues aren't a major concern for potential buyers.

These bikes are running at just under 18,000 miles on average, which is reasonable for eight-year-old machines and suggests owners have looked after them moderately well. With only 0.43 failures per vehicle and 1.4 advisories on average, maintenance demands are light—but do check the service history and inspect the brakes and tyres closely before purchase, as these are the components that typically need attention.

We have limited data for the 2016 Kawasaki Zg — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 20 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

94.3%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

7.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.43

Over 6.2 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

16k

Middle half: 9k–24k

For context

These stats describe 115 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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What tends to go wrong

Across 115 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 38.2%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm

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

Other issues 22.1%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION

Exhaust & emissions 20.6%

Exhaust noisy

Brake wear 17.6%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · …

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

Suspension & steering 11.5%

Steering headbearing slightly stiff or notchy

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

Lighting 9.2%

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps · Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps · Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s)

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 115 Kawasaki Zg cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Kawasaki Zg

Based on MOT data from 115 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 7.8% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Kawasaki Zg vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

16,045

typical

9,498

low mileage

23,532

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Kawasaki Zg vehicles fall between 9,498 and 23,532 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 9,498 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 9,498–23,532 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Kawasaki Zgs sit.

⚠ Over 31,768 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Kawasaki Zg — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Kawasaki Zgs are still on the road.

Strong survival — 87 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 90% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

6.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.43

Avg failures per vehicle

1.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2015

Or browse all models: Kawasaki →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Kawasaki Zg stacks up against a rival.

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