BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ KTM/1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S 20
Model report · 2005–2025

KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S 20

1301cc Petrol Class 2
95.5%
first-time pass rate
2.6%
failed outright
10,397
median miles at test
422
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2023–2025

The 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S 20's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2023 (96.3% → 95.9%).

93%95%97%2023: 96.3% pass (135 tests)2024: 94.2% pass (139 tests)2025: 95.9% pass (145 tests)20232025

Pass rate by mileage

how the 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S 20's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S 20 passes first time 95.9% of the time; by 20k that's 100.0%.

95%97%100%0k: 95.9% pass (196 tests)10k: 95.5% pass (176 tests)20k: 100.0% pass (34 tests)0k10k20k

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 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S 20

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
brakes
4 33.3
tyres
4 33.3
lamps and reflectors
2 16.7
suspension
2 16.7

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S 20 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH TIGER, DUCATI MULTISTRADA, HONDA CRF1000L Africa Twin).

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 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S 20.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2020 (95.9% pass). Weakest: 2020 (95.9%).

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.