1991 Kawasaki EX305-B5 0.3L Petrol · H28 DFJ

A clean MOT return on 13 June 2026 caps off a generally stable roadworthiness record for this 1991 Kawasaki, with consecutive passes stretching back through 2025 and 2024 and only two failures in the seven-test history on file. That said, the single failure on 18 June 2024 is mechanically significant: the nearside front shock absorber was flagged with a serious fluid leak and the nearside front brake pads were recorded as contaminated, both majors. The combination of a weeping damper and contaminated friction material on the same corner points to hydraulic fluid contacting the braking surface, a defect that warrants close attention even though the vehicle passed a retest shortly afterwards on 21 June 2024. Separately, a 2021 failure on headlamp aim is a relatively trivial rectification and is not a recurring theme in the record. The 2021 advisories for both front brake discs showing wear, though not excessive, are the only wear-related flags carried across the history. Against a 35-year manufacturing date, the 27,802 miles on the odometer equates to roughly 794 miles per year, which is a notably low annual accumulation and consistent with long periods of either light recreational use or extended storage rather than regular daily transport. The MOT coverage is reasonably consistent, with tests recorded in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 and twice in 2025, suggesting the machine has been on the road in most recent years, although the absence of any recorded test between early 2023 and mid-2024 could indicate a lay-up phase during which deterioration of seals, brake components and fuel systems commonly advances. Low mileage on a machine of this age does not equate to low wear in absolute terms; rubber components, gaskets, brake hydraulics and suspension seals degrade with time regardless of distance covered, so the mileage figure should not be taken as reassurance in itself. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas to scrutinise are the front suspension and braking system that produced the 2024 failure. The nearside front shock absorber should be inspected for any residual seepage at the seal, staining down the damper body or a damp lower mounting, and during a test ride any knocking or wallowing over uneven surfaces would suggest the replacement unit is also compromised. Brake feel should be checked carefully: a soft or unresponsive lever, judder under heavy application, or pulling to the nearside would indicate that the contaminated pad issue has had a longer-term effect on disc surface finish or calliper function. Given the age of the motorcycle, brake hydraulic seals, master cylinder integrity and flexible hoses should be examined for perishing or weeping, as these items are time-sensitive even on low-mileage machines. The 2021 front brake disc advisories also merit a physical check on the bike itself. Both discs should be measured for remaining thickness against the manufacturer minimum and inspected for lip, scoring or hot spots, with particular attention to the nearside where pad contamination occurred. Given the storage-prone usage pattern suggested by the mileage, it is also worth confirming that the fuel system has been refreshed, the tyres are within date and free from perishing or flat-spotting, and that electrical connections and the battery are in healthy condition, as these items all deteriorate with disuse. Any signs of corrosion on the frame, swingarm pivot or fork lowers would also warrant closer inspection on a motorcycle of this vintage.