KTM 125

125cc Petrol Class 1

#4662 of 5426 overall #223 of 230 KTMs #343 of 734 commuter bikes

71.0%

first-time pass rate

18.9%

failed outright

9,806

median miles at test

9,690

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2015–2025

The 125's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2015 (73.5% → 73.1%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the 125's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage 125 passes first time 76.1% of the time; by 40k that's 66.7%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 125

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	1,371	27.4	5.5×
brakes	904	18.1	1.6×
structure and attachments	816	16.3	8.3×
suspension	511	10.2	5.6×
lighting and signalling	381	7.6	0.6×
tyres	306	6.1	3.7×
steering	274	5.5	5.8×
steering and suspension	188	3.8	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	146	2.9	6.4×
audible warning (Horn)	104	2.1	5.9×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 125 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 125.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2017 (81.9% pass). Weakest: 2006 (62.5%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

KTM 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 125 reliable?

The KTM 125 is less reliable than average for its class: 71.0% of its 9,690 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4662 of 5426 models.

What does a 125 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 27% of all defects recorded against failed 125 tests.

What is the best year of 125 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (81.9%) and 2006 worst (62.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 125 last?

The median 125 shows 9,806 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 66.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.