Kawasaki Zr 1000 B8f (2008)

194 real MOT outcomes analysed • 62.2% first-time pass rate

2008 Kawasaki Zr 1000 B8f

CarHunch analysed 194 real MOT records for the 2008 Kawasaki Zr 1000 B8f. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2008 Kawasaki ZR 1000 B8F has a first-time MOT pass rate of 62.2%, which is 18 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, signalling that these bikes are more likely to arrive at test with something needing attention. The good news is that dangerous defects are relatively uncommon at 9.3%, so serious safety issues aren't the typical problem here.

With median mileage at just 11,515 miles for a 16-year-old machine, these are lightly-ridden bikes, yet they still average 0.88 failures and 3.1 advisories per test—suggesting age-related wear (corroded cables, perished seals, tired brakes) matters more than hard use. If you're buying one, budget for brake work and get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the fuel system and electrics, as those are where these older Kawasakis commonly stumble.

Below average reliability 17.8% below UK average
62.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
11,515
typical mileage
8,618–16,654 middle half
9.3%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.88
avg MOT failures per car
over 8 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2008 Kawasaki Zr 1000 B8f

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 Zr 1000 B8f

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 (95%) 184 60.2% 0.92
Other (5%) 10 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Kawasaki Zr 1000 B8f 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.

8,618
low mileage
11,515
typical
16,654
high mileage

Half of all 2008 Kawasaki Zr 1000 B8f vehicles fall between 8,618 and 16,654 miles.

2008 Kawasaki Zr 1000 B8f — Still on the Road

70 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 73% of the peak remain.

93 70 2014 2025

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

8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.88
Avg failures per vehicle
3.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Kawasaki Zr 1000 B8f?

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

UK