BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ KTM/125 EXC
Model report · 2005–2025

KTM 125 EXC

124cc Petrol Class 1
#4900 of 5426 overall #229 of 230 KTMs #466 of 734 commuter bikes
67.1%
first-time pass rate
20.4%
failed outright
2,966
median miles at test
2,044
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The 125 EXC's first-time pass rate has risen 11.0 points since 2006, 63.2% to 74.2%.

53%71%88%2006: 63.2% pass (38 tests)2007: 82.5% pass (40 tests)2008: 65.7% pass (70 tests)2009: 64.3% pass (84 tests)2010: 64.2% pass (109 tests)2011: 68.8% pass (144 tests)2012: 59.0% pass (166 tests)2013: 63.5% pass (192 tests)2014: 63.1% pass (157 tests)2015: 62.3% pass (159 tests)2016: 65.4% pass (127 tests)2017: 71.7% pass (127 tests)2018: 69.3% pass (88 tests)2019: 71.4% pass (77 tests)2020: 65.4% pass (81 tests)2021: 76.5% pass (98 tests)2022: 66.2% pass (68 tests)2023: 74.0% pass (73 tests)2024: 77.1% pass (70 tests)2025: 74.2% pass (66 tests)20062025

What fails on a 125 EXC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
588 39.4 3.0×
steering and suspension
213 14.3 2.1×
brakes
158 10.6 1.3×
tyres and wheels
121 8.1 2.0×
lamps and reflectors
121 8.1 1.5×
reg plates and vin
100 6.7 6.2×
drive system
73 4.9 3.6×
suspension
71 4.8 3.1×
tyres
25 1.7 1.4×
structure and attachments
23 1.5 1.4×

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 EXC beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

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 EXC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (71.8% pass). Weakest: 1999 (53.4%).

50%63%75%1999: 53.4% pass (58 tests)2000: 54.0% pass (50 tests)2001: 58.1% pass (62 tests)2002: 68.0% pass (128 tests)2003: 66.3% pass (202 tests)2004: 67.8% pass (199 tests)2005: 63.6% pass (236 tests)2006: 67.5% pass (234 tests)2007: 69.3% pass (287 tests)2008: 71.8% pass (202 tests)2009: 70.6% pass (160 tests)2010: 69.1% pass (97 tests)199920052010

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 EXC FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 125 EXC reliable?

The KTM 125 EXC is less reliable than average for its class: 67.1% of its 2,044 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4900 of 5426 models.

What does a 125 EXC fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 39% of all defects recorded against failed 125 EXC tests.

What is the best year of 125 EXC to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (71.8%) and 1999 worst (53.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.