>

MOT History from tests of petrol KAWASAKI GT550s year 1989

Review the list of common KAWASAKI GT550 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your KAWASAKI then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:78.02%
(The average a petrol KAWASAKI GT550 year 1989 passes without issue)
Based on:1,192 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment46
Registration plate issues23
Rear Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort |3.3.A1d|15
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake |3.3.A1a|14
Horn not working |1.7.3a|13
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing |1.4.1|12
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey |7.1.1b|9
Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on |1.1.3a|8
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies |1.3.1a|8
Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies |1.3.1a|7
Nearside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. |2.1.1c|7
Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on |1.1.3a|7
Front wheel bearings have excessive free play |2.3.5b|6
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. |3.3.A2b|6
Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil |2.3.3|6
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies |1.3.1a|6
Locking devices not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride |6.2.1h|5
Rear Roller brake test indicates a binding brake |3.3.A1a|5
Front Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey |7.1.1b|5
Offside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil |2.3.3|5
Front Floor brake test indicates a binding brake |3.3.C2c|5
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised |2.2.1b|4
Front Hydraulic brake control feels spongy |3.1.4a|4
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working |1.5.1c|3
Front wheel bearings are excessively rough |2.3.5b|3
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing |2.2.1a|3
Front Front wheel bearings have excessive free play |2.3.5b|3
Headlamp insecure |1.2.3b|3
Exhaust mounting does not fully support the exhaust system |7.1.1.c|3
Front Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort |3.3.A1d|3
Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play |2.4.A.2c|3
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released3
Nearside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil |2.3.3|3
Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil |2.3.3|3
Offside Front Brake disc|s| friction surface contaminated by oil or grease |3.2.A1k|3
Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))3
Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))3
Front Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel |9.3.1f|2
Nearside Rear Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|2
Offside Rear Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|2
Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|2
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|2
Horn not working |1.6.2a|2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|2
Nearside Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil |2.4.A.1c|2
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|2
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6|2
Nearside Front Brake disc|s| friction surface contaminated by oil or grease |3.2.A1k|2
Front Roller brake test indicates brake effort fall disproportional to brake lever or pedal effort |3.3.A1c|2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.5.1c|2
Fuel tank leaking |7.2.1a|2
Rear Roller brake test indicates brake effort rise disproportional to brake lever or pedal effort |3.3.A1c|2
Rear Roller brake test indicates a severely juddering brake |3.3.A1b|2
Hazard warning lamps not fitted |1.4.B.1a|2
Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock |2.1.4|2
Front Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing |2.2.1a|2
Front Steering movement excessively stiff with the weight on the lower bearing |2.2.1a|2
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.5.1c|2
Brake pedal insecure |3.1.2a|2
Steering movement excessively stiff with the wheel raised |2.2.1b|2
Front Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel |3.1.3b|2
Front Roller brake test indicates brake effort rise disproportional to brake lever or pedal effort |3.3.A1c|2
Rear suspension component excessively corroded. |2.4.A.1a|2
Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. |2.3.6c|2
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.7.3a|2
Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. |2.4.A.3b|2
Front Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised |2.2.1b|2
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Centre Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Throttle control functioning such that safe operation of the motorcycle is adversely affected throttle sticks at full throttle (6.2.7 (a) (ii))2
Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))2
Horn sound not in accordance with requirements (7.7 (c))2
Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))2
Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))2
Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing |1.4.1|1
Rear suspension movement is excessively stiff |2.4.A.3b|1
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam |1.2.2a|ii||1
Rear Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released |1.3.1e|1
Nearside Front Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. |2.3.6c|1
Offside Front Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. |2.3.6c|1
Front Upper Headlamp switch insecure |1.2.4|1
Stop lamp not working both |1.2.1b|1
Rear reflector missing both |1.5.1a|1
Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|1
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Stop lamp missing |1.2.1a|1
Offside Stop lamp missing |1.2.1a|1
Brake pedal pad not secure to the pedal |3.3.A.1c|1
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|1
Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort1
Steering component is not secure to the vehicle structure |2.2.B.1a|1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Horn control insecure |1.6.1|1
Indicator switch insecure |1.4.A.1|1
Front Direction indicator insecure |1.4.A.2b|1
Nearside Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Offside Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front brake disc contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|1
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|1
Brake pedal inappropriately repaired |3.3.A.6|1
Trikes, quads or pre-68 vehicles, service brake efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|1
Rear Axle beam cracked |2.5.A.5a|1
Nearside Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Offside Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Front Direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp |1.5.1c|1
Offside Front Footrest insecure |6.2.1a|1
Rear Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Front Horn not working |7.7 |a| |ii||1
Rear Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on |1.1.3a|1
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour both |1.4.A.2f|1
Rear position lamp|s| not working both |1.1.A.3b|1
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement Front brake lever |3.3.A.5|1
front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Front Steering movement excessively rough with the weight on the lower bearing |9.2.2c|1
Front Steering movement excessively rough with the wheel raised |9.2.2c|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.5.1c|1
Rear Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake |3.3.A1a|1
Front Front position lamp missing |1.1.1a|1
Rear Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. |2.3.6c|1
Front wheel spindle loose |2.3.5a|1
Front Brake lever cannot be released smoothly |3.1.3d|1
Rear reflector missing |4.8.2 |a| |ii||1
Front Fuel cap does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.2b|1
Front Fuel cap does not fasten securely by a positive means |7.2.2b|1
Nearside Rear Rear suspension bush has excessive free play |2.4.A2a|i||1
Offside Rear Rear suspension bush has excessive free play |2.4.A2a|i||1
Rear Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing |2.4.A.2b|1
Offside Front Upper Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock |2.1.4|1
Front Brake fluid reservoir fluid level dangerously low |3.2.B1d|1
Brake hose excessively deteriorated1
Nearside Front Brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid |3.2.B1e|1
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling |2.5.1|1
Offside Rear Footrest insecure |6.2.1a|1
Nearside Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute |1.5.1c|1
Offside Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute |1.5.1c|1
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|1
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|1
Nearside Rear Brake linkage has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|1
Offside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. |2.1.1c|1
Nearside Handlebar deformed |2.1.1b|1
Front Footrest insecure |6.2.12 |a||1
Offside Rear shock absorber insecurely mounted bushes insecure |2.4.A.3b|1
Rear suspension component excessively corroded. rear swinging arm |2.4.A.1a|1
Steering lock stop ineffective both full locks |2.1.3|1
Nearside Rear Footrest insecure |6.2.1a|1
Indicator tell tale not functioning |1.5.2|1
Offside Rear suspension bush has excessive free play |2.4.A2a|i||1
Nearside Rear suspension bush has excessive free play |2.4.A2a|i||1
Stop lamp does not emit a steady light foot control switch not connected |1.3.1b|1
Rear Floor brake test indicates a sticking brake |3.3.C2c|1
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|1
Stop lamp not working from front brake |1.2.1b|1
Nearside Front wheel bearings have excessive free play |2.3.5b|1
Offside Front wheel bearings have excessive free play |2.3.5b|1
Steering headbearing has excessive free play |2.2.2|1
Front Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake |3.3.A1a|1
Nearside Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey |7.1.1b|1
Offside Direction indicators not working |1.5.1c|1
Brake pedal pivots excessively worn |3.1.3a|1
Brake pedal attachment screws loose |3.1.2b|1
Roller brake test No brake control achieves an efficiency of 30%. |3.3.A2a|1
Roller brake test Neither brake control achieves an efficiency of 25% |3.3.A2b|1
Fuel cap does not fasten securely by a positive means |7.2.2b|1
Headlamp aim headlamp deteriorated and function impaired |1.2.3a|1
Brake reaction bracket insecure |3.2.A1j|1
Front Horn not working |1.7.3a|1
Nearside Footrest missing |6.2.1a|1
Offside Footrest missing |6.2.1a|1
Brake pedal cannot be released smoothly |3.1.3d|1
Front Direction indicator not working |1.5.1c|1
Rear Brake lever excessively chafed |3.2.A1a|1
Headlamp aim beam image kick-up is to the offside |1.6.1|1
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.1a|1
Front Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. |2.1.1c|1
Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play |2.2.2|1
Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released |1.3.1e|1
Offside Direction indicator not working |1.5.1c|1
Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil |2.4.A.1c|1
IMPORTANT. Do not use failure or PRS against this item. For lighting defects please enter 5000 in the `Find item` box above. no stop lamp on front brake |9.1|1
Brake pedal has excessive side movement indicating a badly worn bearing or pivot |3.3.A.1d|1
Rear fog lamp tell tale missing |1.3.1b|1
Brake hydraulic reservoir leaking hydraulic fluid |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Front Side repeater flashing less than 60 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|1
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Offside Rear Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Brake pedal fouling on other parts of the vehicle |3.3.A.4|1
Brake hose has insufficient room to move1
Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|1
Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|1
Centre Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing |1.4.1|1
Centre Rear Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on |1.1.3a|1
Centre Front Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.7.3a|1
Brake locking device missing |3.2.A1e|1
Rear Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel |3.1.3b|1
Rear Brake linkage has abnormal movement due to maladjustment |3.2.A1i|1
Front Brake lever cannot be applied smoothly |3.1.3d|1
Rear Brake locking device insecure |3.2.A1e|1
Motorcycle structure cracked |6.1.1a|1
Hydraulic brake control feels spongy |3.1.4a|1
Rear Brake pedal pivots excessively worn |3.1.3a|1
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Centre Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies |1.3.1a|1
Centre Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play |2.2.2|1
Front Direction indicators not working |1.5.1c|1
Rear Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey |7.1.1b|1
Nearside Handlebar mounting clamp bolt loose |2.1.1a|1
Brake hose damaged1
Brake disc|s| excessively worn |3.2.A1l|1
Indicator switch insecure |1.5.4|1
Nearside Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute |1.5.1c|1
Offside Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute |1.5.1c|1
Nearside Front Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. |2.1.1c|1
Brake linkage clevis joint excessively worn |3.2.A1d|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.5.1c|1
Rear Stop lamp not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Front Brake disc|s| excessively scored |3.2.A1l|1
Centre Front Steering movement excessively stiff with the weight on the lower bearing |2.2.1a|1
Front Lower Steering movement excessively stiff with the weight on the lower bearing |2.2.1a|1
Nearside Upper Rear suspension bush has excessive free play |2.4.A2a|i||1
Offside Upper Rear suspension bush has excessive free play |2.4.A2a|i||1
An item not tested |Manual|1
Rear Locking device|s| not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride |6.2.1h|1
Clutch lever shortened so it cannot be readily operated. |6.2.1g|1
Offside Rear Lower Brake pedal insecure |3.1.2a|1
Centre Front Upper Steering headbearing has excessive free play |2.2.2|1
Centre Front Lower Brake cylinder severely corroded |3.2.B1b|1
Stop lamp does not emit a steady light |1.3.1b|1
Offside Front Direction indicators not working |1.5.1c|1
Nearside Rear Rear shock absorber insecurely mounted |2.4.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Rear shock absorber insecurely mounted |2.4.A.3b|1
Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Fuel cap leaking |6.1.3 |b| |i||1
Footrest insecure |6.2.1a|1
Nearside Front Brake disc|s| excessively worn |3.2.A1l|1
Offside Front Brake disc|s| excessively worn |3.2.A1l|1
Front Brake component has restricted free movement and operation is likely to be impeded |3.2.A1h|1
Direction indicator deteriorated and function impaired |1.5.3a|1
Rear Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. |2.4.A.3b|1
Rear Motorcycle structure excessively corroded |6.1.1a|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator insecure |1.5.3b|1
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the steering |2.5.1|1
Stop lamp affected by the operation of another lamp |1.3.2|1
Front Brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||1
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |5.3.2 |b||1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |5.3.2 |b||1
Front Stop lamp not working Suspect switch failure |4.3.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Direction indicator not working both front and rear |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Front Brake disc|s| excessively pitted |3.2.A1l|1
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.5.1c|1
Offside Handlebar mounting clamp loose |2.1.1a|1
Lower Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing |2.2.1a|1
Upper Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised |2.2.1b|1
Rear position lamp insecure |1.1.1c|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator insecure |1.5.3b|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator insecure |1.5.3b|1
Rear Wheel has an excessively distorted bead rim. |4.2.2|1
Front Wheel has an excessively eccentric bead rim. |4.2.2|1
Front Wheel bearing has excessive play |5.1.3 |a| |i||1
Rear Direction indicators not working |1.5.1c|1
Riders seat insecure |6.2.1a|1
Front Brake disc|s| excessively worn |3.2.A1l|1
Front Steering movement excessively stiff with the wheel raised |2.2.1b|1
Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Front Direction indicator obviously incorrectly positioned |1.4.A.2b|1
Hazard warning lamps not fitted (4.4.1 (d))1
Nearside Lower Motorcycle structure joining/attachment plate or fastening so insecure that structural rigidity is seriously reduced frame (6.1.1 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Upper Motorcycle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering shock mounting (6.1.1 (c) (ii))1
Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))1
All direction indicators obviously incorrectly positioned Front - mounted less than 240mm apart (4.4.3 (a))1
Registration plate lamp issues1
Horn sound not in accordance with requirements Not loud enough (7.7 (c))1
Fuel tank insecure (6.1.3 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Rear Brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Throttle operating incorrectly (6.2.7 (a) (i))1
Rear Outer Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))1
Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))1
Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak bottoms out (5.3.2 (b))1
Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))1
Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
All direction indicators not working all (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Front Brake component inadequately mounted hose fouling wiring (1.1.21 (c))1
Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))1
Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))1
Fuel cap ineffective tank neck slightly corroded (6.1.3 (b) (i))1
Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))1
Throttle operating incorrectly tick over to high (6.2.7 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm fractured swing arm (5.3.3 (b) (ii))1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))1
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))1
Fuel hose leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))1
Stop lamp does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls front not working (4.3.2 (a) (iii))1
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))1
Offside Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))1
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))1
Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))1
Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (b))1

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Find us on Facebook

© KnowYourCar™ 2019. All rights reserved
Except where otherwise noted, content on our MOT statistics pages are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
You are free to redistribute the material in any medium or format as long as credit is given to KnowYourCar

WARNING: We have placed hidden watermarks in our data. We will take action against our data being used outside of these terms.

MOT Data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

By using our site you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
Terms & Conditions  Privacy Policy