Kawasaki Zzr600 (2004)

123 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88% first-time pass rate

2004 Kawasaki Zzr600

CarHunch analysed 123 real MOT records for the 2004 Kawasaki Zzr600. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2004 Kawasaki ZZR600 passes its MOT first time at 87.9%, a solid 7.9 points above the UK average, but nearly a quarter of these bikes (22.8%) have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their testing history—a warning sign that potential buyers should scrutinise any prospective purchase's full MOT record carefully. With a median mileage of just 16,021 miles for a nearly 20-year-old bike, these ZZR600s have been genuinely low-mileage keepers, yet they still average 1.68 failures per test and 6.1 advisories, suggesting age-related deterioration rather than hard use is the real issue. Check the specific defect history of any bike you're considering, particularly around electrical and corrosion issues, and factor in that a 6+ advisory average means routine maintenance costs are a given.

Average reliability 8% above UK average
88%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
16,021
typical mileage
9,681–22,820 middle half
22.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.68
avg MOT failures per car
over 12.8 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2004 Kawasaki Zzr600

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.
  • ⚠️ 22.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 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 Zzr600

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

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

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Kawasaki Zzr600 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.

9,681
low mileage
16,021
typical
22,820
high mileage

Half of all 2004 Kawasaki Zzr600 vehicles fall between 9,681 and 22,820 miles.

2004 Kawasaki Zzr600 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 31 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (40% of peak).

78 31 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

12.8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.68
Avg failures per vehicle
6.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 Kawasaki Zzr600

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

  • 63.7%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 38.9%
    Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 32.1%
    Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
  • 22.3%
    Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
  • 21.2%
    Drive chain slightly loose
  • 16.6%
    Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
  • 15%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 14%
    Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Kawasaki Zzr600?

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

UK

Other model years — Kawasaki Zzr600:

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003