KTM 250 EXC

249cc Petrol Class 2

#4274 of 5426 overall #202 of 230 KTMs #2649 of 2787 other bikes

75.2%

first-time pass rate

13.8%

failed outright

2,699

median miles at test

6,322

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 250 EXC's first-time pass rate has risen 9.8 points since 2006, 73.9% to 83.7%.

What fails on a 250 EXC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	864	34	1.7×
steering and suspension	389	15.3	1.4×
lamps and reflectors	302	11.9	1.5×
tyres and wheels	257	10.1	1.4×
brakes	217	8.5	0.6×
reg plates and vin	184	7.2	4.1×
suspension	137	5.4	2.1×
drive system	81	3.2	1.2×
Identification of the vehicle	59	2.3	3.8×
audible warning (Horn)	49	1.9	4.2×

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 250 EXC beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 250 EXC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (78.6% pass). Weakest: 2000 (68.8%).

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 EXC FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 250 EXC reliable?

The KTM 250 EXC is less reliable than average for its class: 75.2% of its 6,322 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4274 of 5426 models.

What does a 250 EXC fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 34% of all defects recorded against failed 250 EXC tests.

What is the best year of 250 EXC to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (78.6%) and 2000 worst (68.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.