KTM 300 EXC

300cc Petrol Class 2

#3914 of 5426 overall #178 of 230 KTMs #2477 of 2787 other bikes

78.0%

first-time pass rate

11.4%

failed outright

2,705

median miles at test

3,474

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 300 EXC's first-time pass rate has risen 7.6 points since 2006, 73.8% to 81.4%.

What fails on a 300 EXC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	472	38.4	1.6×
steering and suspension	165	13.4	1.1×
tyres and wheels	128	10.4	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	117	9.5	1.1×
reg plates and vin	103	8.4	4.0×
brakes	96	7.8	0.5×
suspension	56	4.6	1.6×
audible warning (Horn)	34	2.8	5.3×
Identification of the vehicle	31	2.5	3.7×
tyres	27	2.2	1.0×

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 EXC beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI AN400, YAMAHA RD350, YAMAHA YP250).

SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests YAMAHA RD350 86.3% pass · 19.6k tests YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k 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 300 EXC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (84.5% pass). Weakest: 2011 (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 300 EXC FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 300 EXC reliable?

The KTM 300 EXC is less reliable than average for its class: 78.0% of its 3,474 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3914 of 5426 models.

What does a 300 EXC fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 38% of all defects recorded against failed 300 EXC tests.

What is the best year of 300 EXC to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (84.5%) and 2011 worst (68.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.