MOT History from tests of petrol KAWASAKI ZXs year 1998

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

mot history

Pass percent:79.84%

(The average a petrol KAWASAKI ZX year 1998 passes without issue)

Based on:2,515 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate issues	57
Headlamp aim out of alignment	44
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	43
Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	26
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	21
Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	18
Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	18
Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	15
Front Floor brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.C2c\|	14
Offside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	13
Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	13
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	13
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	12
Front Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	11
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.2\|	11
Rear Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	10
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	10
Exhaust markings indicating not for road use or similar wording \|7.1.4\|	9
Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	9
Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	9
Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	8
Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	8
Front Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	7
Nearside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	7
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	7
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	7
Front Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	6
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	6
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey \|7.1.1b\|	6
Front Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	6
Drive chain excessively tight \|6.2.1d\|	6
Rear suspension bush has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	6
Riders seat insecure \|6.2.1a\|	6
Throttle operating incorrectly \|6.2.1f\|	5
Front Brake disc\|s\| has excessive run out \|3.2.A1m\|	5
Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.4.A.2b\|	5
Front wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.3.5b\|	5
Rear Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	5
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	5
Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	5
Front Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	5
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling \|2.5.1\|	5
Offside Rear Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	5
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.A2b\|	4
Front Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Front Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	4
Rear Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	4
Rear Drive chain excessively tight \|6.2.1d\|	4
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	4
Front position lamp incorrect colour \|1.1.2a\|	4
Drive chain worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	4
Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	4
Offside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	4
Front Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	4
Front Brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	4
Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))	4
Front Steering lock stop missing \|2.1.3\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	3
Rear Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.2\|	3
Rear Locking device\|s\| not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	3
Front Wheel has an excessively distorted bead rim. \|4.2.2\|	3
Front Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	3
Rear Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.4.A.2b\|	3
Front Brake excessively binding \|1.2.1 \|f\|\|	3
Steering control has Insufficient clearance at full lock affecting the riders grasp of handlebars \|2.1.2b\|	3
Front Front wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.3.5b\|	3
Rear Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	3
Rear Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	3
Offside Front Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	3
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	3
Front Brake disc\|s\| is excessively distorted \|3.2.A1m\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	3
Rear Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Registration plate lamp issues	3
Front An item not tested \|Manual\|	3
Drive chain excessively loose (6.1.7 (c) (i))	3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	2
Offside Front Brake disc\|s\| is excessively distorted \|3.2.A1m\|	2
Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	2
Front Brake master cylinder fluid level dangerously low \|3.2.B1d\|	2
Nearside Front Brake disc\|s\| has excessive run out \|3.2.A1m\|	2
Offside Front Brake disc\|s\| has excessive run out \|3.2.A1m\|	2
Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	2
Centre Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	2
Front suspension has excessive stiffness in the suspension movement. \|2.3.6b\|	2
Rear suspension bearing has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	2
Rear All position lamps do not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	2
Fairings insecure and likely to impede the steering \|2.1.2e\|	2
Front Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	2
Rear Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	2
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the steering \|2.5.1\|	2
Stop lamp affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2\|	2
Motorcycle structure insecure and likely to affect the correct functioning of the steering or braking \|6.1.1c\|	2
Front Roller brake test indicates a severely juddering brake \|3.3.A1b\|	2
Nearside Front Brake disc\|s\| is excessively distorted \|3.2.A1m\|	2
Rear Brake disc\|s\| cracked \|3.2.A1g\|	2
Front Roller brake test indicates brake effort fall disproportional to brake lever or pedal effort \|3.3.A1c\|	2
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	2
Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock \|2.1.4\|	2
Rear Brake disc\|s\| excessively worn \|3.2.A1l\|	2
Nearside Front Brake disc\|s\| excessively worn \|3.2.A1l\|	2
Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	2
Rear Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	2
Rear Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	2
Offside Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	2
Nearside Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	2
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	2
Steering movement excessively stiff with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	2
Nearside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	2
Offside Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	2
Front Roller brake test indicates a severely grabbing brake \|3.3.A1b\|	2
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.5.1b\|	2
Steering headbearing excessively stiff or notchy (2.2.2 (f) (i))	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))	2
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	2
Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))	2
Rear Stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	2
Front Brake indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort (1.2.1 (e))	2

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.

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate issues	57
Headlamp aim out of alignment	44
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	43
Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	26
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	21
Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	18
Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	18
Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	15
Front Floor brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.C2c\|	14
Offside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	13
Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	13
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	13
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	12
Front Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	11
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.2\|	11
Rear Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	10
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	10
Exhaust markings indicating not for road use or similar wording \|7.1.4\|	9
Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	9
Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	9
Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	8
Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	8
Front Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	7
Nearside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	7
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	7
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	7
Front Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	6
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	6
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey \|7.1.1b\|	6
Front Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	6
Drive chain excessively tight \|6.2.1d\|	6
Rear suspension bush has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	6
Riders seat insecure \|6.2.1a\|	6
Throttle operating incorrectly \|6.2.1f\|	5
Front Brake disc\|s\| has excessive run out \|3.2.A1m\|	5
Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.4.A.2b\|	5
Front wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.3.5b\|	5
Rear Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	5
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	5
Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	5
Front Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	5
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling \|2.5.1\|	5
Offside Rear Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	5
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.A2b\|	4
Front Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Front Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	4
Rear Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	4
Rear Drive chain excessively tight \|6.2.1d\|	4
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	4
Front position lamp incorrect colour \|1.1.2a\|	4
Drive chain worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	4
Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	4
Offside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	4
Front Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	4
Front Brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	4
Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))	4
Front Steering lock stop missing \|2.1.3\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	3
Rear Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.2\|	3
Rear Locking device\|s\| not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	3
Front Wheel has an excessively distorted bead rim. \|4.2.2\|	3
Front Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	3
Rear Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.4.A.2b\|	3
Front Brake excessively binding \|1.2.1 \|f\|\|	3
Steering control has Insufficient clearance at full lock affecting the riders grasp of handlebars \|2.1.2b\|	3
Front Front wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.3.5b\|	3
Rear Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	3
Rear Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	3
Offside Front Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	3
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	3
Front Brake disc\|s\| is excessively distorted \|3.2.A1m\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	3
Rear Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Registration plate lamp issues	3
Front An item not tested \|Manual\|	3
Drive chain excessively loose (6.1.7 (c) (i))	3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	2
Offside Front Brake disc\|s\| is excessively distorted \|3.2.A1m\|	2
Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	2
Front Brake master cylinder fluid level dangerously low \|3.2.B1d\|	2
Nearside Front Brake disc\|s\| has excessive run out \|3.2.A1m\|	2
Offside Front Brake disc\|s\| has excessive run out \|3.2.A1m\|	2
Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	2
Centre Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	2
Front suspension has excessive stiffness in the suspension movement. \|2.3.6b\|	2
Rear suspension bearing has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	2
Rear All position lamps do not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	2
Fairings insecure and likely to impede the steering \|2.1.2e\|	2
Front Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	2
Rear Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	2
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the steering \|2.5.1\|	2
Stop lamp affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2\|	2
Motorcycle structure insecure and likely to affect the correct functioning of the steering or braking \|6.1.1c\|	2
Front Roller brake test indicates a severely juddering brake \|3.3.A1b\|	2
Nearside Front Brake disc\|s\| is excessively distorted \|3.2.A1m\|	2
Rear Brake disc\|s\| cracked \|3.2.A1g\|	2
Front Roller brake test indicates brake effort fall disproportional to brake lever or pedal effort \|3.3.A1c\|	2
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	2
Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock \|2.1.4\|	2
Rear Brake disc\|s\| excessively worn \|3.2.A1l\|	2
Nearside Front Brake disc\|s\| excessively worn \|3.2.A1l\|	2
Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	2
Rear Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	2
Rear Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	2
Offside Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	2
Nearside Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times per minute \|1.5.1c\|	2
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	2
Steering movement excessively stiff with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	2
Nearside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	2
Offside Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	2
Front Roller brake test indicates a severely grabbing brake \|3.3.A1b\|	2
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.5.1b\|	2
Steering headbearing excessively stiff or notchy (2.2.2 (f) (i))	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))	2
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	2
Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))	2
Rear Stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	2
Front Brake indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort (1.2.1 (e))	2

MOT History from tests of petrol KAWASAKI ZXs year 1998

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