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Kawasaki Zx750 J1 (1991)

215 real MOT outcomes analysed • 11.5% first-time pass rate

1991 Kawasaki Zx750 J1

CarHunch analysed 215 real MOT records for the 1991 Kawasaki Zx750 J1. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1991 Kawasaki ZX750-J1 has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 11.5%, far below the UK average of 80%, making it a decidedly unreliable prospect for buyers. Dangerous defects are rare at 0.5%, but the abysmal pass rate reflects a motorcycle that struggles consistently with standard roadworthiness requirements.

The median mileage of 32,187 miles is relatively low for a 33-year-old bike, yet these machines still accumulate an average of 0.11 failures and 0.4 advisories per test—suggesting age and deterioration are the real culprits rather than heavy use. If you're considering one, budget for serious mechanical work before riding it, and have a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist mechanic who knows older Japanese sportbikes.

Below average reliability 68.5% below UK average
11.5%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
32,187
typical mileage
27,530–37,349 middle half
0.5%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.11
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1991 Kawasaki Zx750 J1

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 J1

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 (100%) 214 11.1% 0.11
Other (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1991 Kawasaki Zx750 J1 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.

27,530
low mileage
32,187
typical
37,349
high mileage

Half of all 1991 Kawasaki Zx750 J1 vehicles fall between 27,530 and 37,349 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.11
Avg failures per vehicle
0.4
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 Kawasaki Zx750 J1

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

  • 39.1%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 26.1%
    Rear Drive chain sprocket carrier worn but not considered excessive
  • 21.7%
    Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 17.4%
    Rear Brake disc(s) slightly pitted
  • 17.4%
    Rear reflector on motorcycle missing
  • 17.4%
    Rear Wheel alignment slightly misaligned.
  • 13%
    Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
  • 13%
    Exhaust noisy

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Kawasaki Zx750 J1?

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

UK