KTM 400 EXC

400cc Petrol Class 2

#4012 of 5426 overall #185 of 230 KTMs #2539 of 2787 other bikes

77.3%

first-time pass rate

12.1%

failed outright

3,637

median miles at test

5,086

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 400 EXC's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.5 points since 2006, 80.6% to 77.1%.

What fails on a 400 EXC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	569	33	1.5×
steering and suspension	309	17.9	1.4×
lamps and reflectors	193	11.2	1.2×
brakes	151	8.8	0.5×
tyres and wheels	148	8.6	1.1×
reg plates and vin	146	8.5	3.3×
suspension	92	5.3	1.7×
drive system	49	2.8	0.9×
tyres	33	1.9	0.7×
Identification of the vehicle	32	1.9	2.7×

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 400 EXC beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k 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 400 EXC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (81.1% pass). Weakest: 2002 (73.4%).

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 400 EXC FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 400 EXC reliable?

The KTM 400 EXC is less reliable than average for its class: 77.3% of its 5,086 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4012 of 5426 models.

What does a 400 EXC fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 33% of all defects recorded against failed 400 EXC tests.

What is the best year of 400 EXC to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (81.1%) and 2002 worst (73.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.