Pass rate over time
The 250's first-time pass rate has fallen 10.9 points since 2013, 90.9% to 80.0%.
What fails on a 250
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
382 | 29 | 2.8× |
| suspension |
|
246 | 18.7 | 5.2× |
| tyres |
|
127 | 9.7 | 3.1× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
113 | 8.6 | 0.4× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
100 | 7.6 | 9.3× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
92 | 7 | 11.0× |
| brakes |
|
76 | 5.8 | 0.3× |
| structure and attachments |
|
68 | 5.2 | 1.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
61 | 4.6 | 0.3× |
| wheels |
|
50 | 3.8 | 14.6× |
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
On first-time pass rate the 250 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).
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 250.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2018 (89.3% pass). Weakest: 2007 (68.1%).
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 250 FAQ
Is the KTM 250 reliable?
The KTM 250 is less reliable than average for its class: 79.4% of its 4,580 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3704 of 5426 models.
What does a 250 fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors — 29% of all defects recorded against failed 250 tests.
What is the best year of 250 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2018-registered examples do best (89.3%) and 2007 worst (68.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.