KTM 450 EXC-R

449cc Petrol Class 2

#3872 of 5426 overall #176 of 230 KTMs #2454 of 2787 other bikes

78.3%

first-time pass rate

11.9%

failed outright

3,080

median miles at test

2,071

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2025

The 450 EXC-R's first-time pass rate has risen 1.7 points since 2010, 74.4% to 76.1%.

What fails on a 450 EXC-R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	223	33	1.5×
lamps and reflectors	84	12.4	1.5×
steering and suspension	81	12	1.0×
reg plates and vin	63	9.3	3.7×
tyres and wheels	60	8.9	1.1×
brakes	57	8.4	0.5×
suspension	43	6.4	2.0×
Identification of the vehicle	24	3.6	5.0×
audible warning (Horn)	23	3.4	6.1×
drive system	17	2.5	0.7×

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 450 EXC-R beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, YAMAHA XV535, SUZUKI GS500).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests YAMAHA XV535 82.7% pass · 48.1k tests SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k 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 450 EXC-R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (81.3% pass). Weakest: 2008 (77.3%).

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-R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 450 EXC-R reliable?

The KTM 450 EXC-R is less reliable than average for its class: 78.3% of its 2,071 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3872 of 5426 models.

What does a 450 EXC-R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 33% of all defects recorded against failed 450 EXC-R tests.

What is the best year of 450 EXC-R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (81.3%) and 2008 worst (77.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.