Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3?

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 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3?

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 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3?

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 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 310 vehicles, the 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 85.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3?

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 Zx 900a3 (1986)

310 real MOT outcomes analysed • 85.2% first-time pass rate

1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3

CarHunch analysed 310 real MOT records for the 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 310 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3 passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (85.2% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

First-time pass

85.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

1.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.07

Over 1.3 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

44k

Middle half: 29k–53k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 85.2% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

These stats describe 310 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.

A solid choice — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 310 Kawasaki Zx 900a3 cars.

Before you buy a 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3

Based on MOT data from 310 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 1.3% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 430 Kawasaki Zx 900a3 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 45.6%

196

Blue 45.1%

194

Red 6%

Green 3.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3 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.

44,287

typical

29,075

low mileage

53,481

high mileage

Half of all 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3 vehicles fall between 29,075 and 53,481 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 29,075 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.

✓ 29,075–53,481 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3s sit.

⚠ Over 72,199 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

1.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.07

Avg failures per vehicle

0.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Kawasaki Zx 900a3: All Zx 900a3 years → Which year to buy? →

1987

Or browse all models: Kawasaki →

Compare with another model

See how the 1986 Kawasaki Zx 900a3 stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?