BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
Model report · 2005–2025

KTM 300

293cc Petrol Class 2
#3513 of 5426 overall #152 of 230 KTMs #2237 of 2787 other bikes
80.3%
first-time pass rate
9.0%
failed outright
2,473
median miles at test
2,386
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The 300's first-time pass rate has risen 2.3 points since 2017, 80.1% to 82.4%.

75%80%85%2017: 80.1% pass (171 tests)2018: 82.2% pass (247 tests)2019: 82.6% pass (288 tests)2020: 77.0% pass (269 tests)2021: 80.0% pass (315 tests)2022: 76.9% pass (295 tests)2023: 83.0% pass (282 tests)2024: 76.9% pass (216 tests)2025: 82.4% pass (204 tests)20172025

What fails on a 300

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
187 32.1 2.7×
suspension
86 14.8 3.5×
audible warning (Horn)
57 9.8 13.1×
Identification of the vehicle
51 8.7 8.9×
tyres
50 8.6 2.6×
brakes
48 8.2 0.4×
lighting and signalling
41 7 0.2×
structure and attachments
25 4.3 1.2×
steering and suspension
22 3.8 0.2×
wheels
16 2.7 11.2×

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 300 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA RD350, YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F).

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 300.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (81.8% pass). Weakest: 2012 (77.2%).

76%80%83%2010: 78.8% pass (66 tests)2011: 78.7% pass (61 tests)2012: 77.2% pass (145 tests)2013: 81.8% pass (286 tests)2014: 80.0% pass (599 tests)2015: 81.0% pass (768 tests)2016: 78.1% pass (192 tests)201020132016

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 300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 300 reliable?

The KTM 300 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.3% of its 2,386 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3513 of 5426 models.

What does a 300 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 32% of all defects recorded against failed 300 tests.

What is the best year of 300 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (81.8%) and 2012 worst (77.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.