KTM 520 EXC

520cc Petrol Class 2

#3733 of 5426 overall #167 of 230 KTMs #2372 of 2787 other bikes

79.2%

first-time pass rate

11.1%

failed outright

2,549

median miles at test

727

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2016

The 520 EXC's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.2 points since 2006, 88.0% to 81.8%.

What fails on a 520 EXC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	81	35.7	1.5×
steering and suspension	46	20.3	1.3×
tyres and wheels	24	10.6	1.4×
reg plates and vin	23	10.1	4.1×
lamps and reflectors	16	7	0.6×
brakes	13	5.7	0.4×
suspension	8	3.5	0.9×
drive system	8	3.5	1.1×
wheels	5	2.2	4.6×
fuel and exhaust	3	1.3	0.5×

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 520 EXC beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 520 EXC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2001 (79.9% pass). Weakest: 2003 (74.0%).

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 520 EXC FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 520 EXC reliable?

The KTM 520 EXC is less reliable than average for its class: 79.2% of its 727 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3733 of 5426 models.

What does a 520 EXC fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed 520 EXC tests.

What is the best year of 520 EXC to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2001-registered examples do best (79.9%) and 2003 worst (74.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.