Kawasaki Zx900 A2 (1986)
1986 Kawasaki Zx900 A2
CarHunch analysed 188 real MOT records for the 1986 Kawasaki Zx900 A2. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1986 Kawasaki ZX900-A2 has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 7.1%, catastrophically below the UK average of 80%—making it one of the most problematic vehicles in its age group. The dangerous defect rate of 0.5% is mercifully low, but the real issue is the sheer volume of work required: nearly every bike fails its first test.
Despite relatively modest mileage (median 38,932 miles for a near-40-year-old machine), these bikes average 0.05 failures and 0.1 advisories per test, which tells us the failures are serious and non-trivial—not minor niggles. If you're considering one, budget heavily for a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist Kawasaki technician, because the MOT data suggests you'll inherit significant remedial work regardless of the bike's apparent condition.
What to check before buying a 1986 Kawasaki Zx900 A2
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 Zx900 A2
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 (99%) | 187 | 6.6% | 0.05 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Kawasaki Zx900 A2 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 1986 Kawasaki Zx900 A2 vehicles fall between 29,626 and 49,378 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Kawasaki Zx900 A2
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
50%
Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
-
30%
Front brake lever spongy
-
20%
chain noise
-
20%
Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil
-
20%
Upper Rear mono-shock pivot worn but not excessive
-
20%
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside
-
20%
Headlamp aim too low
-
20%
Fairing panels and screen missing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kawasaki Zx900 A2?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.
Other model years — Kawasaki Zx900 A2: