Pass rate over time
The 450 EXC's first-time pass rate has risen 10.1 points since 2006, 74.2% to 84.3%.
What fails on a 450 EXC
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
1,033 | 37.5 | 1.8× |
| steering and suspension |
|
515 | 18.7 | 1.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
260 | 9.4 | 1.2× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
253 | 9.2 | 4.2× |
| brakes |
|
247 | 9 | 0.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
168 | 6.1 | 0.8× |
| suspension |
|
109 | 4 | 1.4× |
| drive system |
|
86 | 3.1 | 1.2× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
45 | 1.6 | 2.5× |
| tyres |
|
40 | 1.5 | 0.6× |
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 450 EXC beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, YAMAHA XV535, SUZUKI GS500).
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 450 EXC.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2009 (84.5% pass). Weakest: 2002 (72.7%).
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 450 EXC FAQ
Is the KTM 450 EXC reliable?
The KTM 450 EXC is less reliable than average for its class: 76.4% of its 7,579 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4134 of 5426 models.
What does a 450 EXC fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 37% of all defects recorded against failed 450 EXC tests.
What is the best year of 450 EXC to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (84.5%) and 2002 worst (72.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.