Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Kawasaki Zx750 Fi?

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 1987 Kawasaki Zx750 Fi?

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 1987 Kawasaki Zx750 Fi?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1987 Kawasaki Zx750 Fi?

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 Zx750 Fi (1987)

563 real MOT outcomes analysed • 6.7% first-time pass rate

1987 Kawasaki Zx750 Fi

CarHunch analysed 563 real MOT records for the 1987 Kawasaki Zx750 Fi. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 73.3% below UK average

6.7%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

38,237

typical mileage

29,547–46,855 middle half

0.9%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.07

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.2 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1987 Kawasaki Zx750 Fi

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 Zx750 Fi

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	562	6.6%	0.07
Other (0%)	1	50%	1

Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 Kawasaki Zx750 Fi 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.

29,547

low mileage

38,237

typical

46,855

high mileage

Half of all 1987 Kawasaki Zx750 Fi vehicles fall between 29,547 and 46,855 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.07

Avg failures per vehicle

0.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Kawasaki Zx750 Fi

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

29.8%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
19.3%

Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake
19.3%

Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn
17.5%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
14%

Rear Brake disc(s) slightly pitted
14%

Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
12.3%

Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
8.8%

Throttle operating incorrectly

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Kawasaki Zx750 Fi?

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

Other model years — Kawasaki Zx750 Fi:

1988