Kawasaki Zx1200 A1 (2001)
2001 Kawasaki Zx1200 A1
CarHunch analysed 117 real MOT records for the 2001 Kawasaki Zx1200 A1. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2001 Kawasaki ZX1200-A1 has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 35.3%, nearly half the UK average of 80%, which signals consistent reliability issues across the fleet. The dangerous defect rate of 2.6% is mercifully low, but the core problem remains: nearly two-thirds of these bikes fail their MOT on first attempt.
These are relatively low-mileage machines (median 16,544 miles for their age), so the high failure rate isn't down to neglect or hard use—it reflects design or maintenance problems inherent to the model. With an average of 0.32 failures and 0.7 advisories per vehicle, budget for regular remedial work; before buying one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on electrical systems, brakes, and emissions equipment, the typical failure culprits on ageing sports bikes.
What to check before buying a 2001 Kawasaki Zx1200 A1
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 Zx1200 A1
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 (97%) | 113 | 33.2% | 0.33 |
| Other (3%) | 4 | 93.8% | 0.25 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 Kawasaki Zx1200 A1 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 2001 Kawasaki Zx1200 A1 vehicles fall between 10,262 and 21,662 miles.
2001 Kawasaki Zx1200 A1 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021, 91% of the peak.
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 — 2001 Kawasaki Zx1200 A1
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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47.7%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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25%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.5%
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
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20.5%
Exhaust noisy
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11.4%
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing
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11.4%
Steering movement slightly 'notchy'
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9.1%
Headlamp aim too low
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9.1%
Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kawasaki Zx1200 A1?
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Other model years — Kawasaki Zx1200 A1: