KTM 525 EXC RACING

520cc Petrol Class 2

#4044 of 5426 overall #187 of 230 KTMs #2555 of 2787 other bikes

77.1%

first-time pass rate

11.5%

failed outright

3,627

median miles at test

2,297

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The 525 EXC RACING's first-time pass rate has risen 6.3 points since 2007, 79.7% to 86.0%.

What fails on a 525 EXC RACING

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	322	41.5	1.7×
steering and suspension	97	12.5	1.1×
reg plates and vin	93	12	4.9×
brakes	75	9.7	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	58	7.5	0.7×
tyres and wheels	55	7.1	1.0×
suspension	26	3.4	1.1×
drive system	24	3.1	1.1×
audible warning (Horn)	13	1.7	3.1×
Identification of the vehicle	12	1.5	2.1×

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 525 EXC RACING beats 0 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 525 EXC RACING.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (78.4% pass). Weakest: 2004 (76.0%).

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 525 EXC RACING FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 525 EXC RACING reliable?

The KTM 525 EXC RACING is less reliable than average for its class: 77.1% of its 2,297 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4044 of 5426 models.

What does a 525 EXC RACING fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 42% of all defects recorded against failed 525 EXC RACING tests.

What is the best year of 525 EXC RACING to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (78.4%) and 2004 worst (76.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.