KTM 525EXC

520cc Petrol Class 2

#3940 of 5426 overall #181 of 230 KTMs #2495 of 2787 other bikes

77.8%

first-time pass rate

11.8%

failed outright

2,756

median miles at test

1,299

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2023

The 525EXC's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (89.1% → 89.2%).

What fails on a 525EXC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	201	41.7	1.7×
steering and suspension	67	13.9	1.2×
reg plates and vin	52	10.8	4.8×
tyres and wheels	48	10	1.4×
lamps and reflectors	42	8.7	0.9×
brakes	34	7.1	0.5×
suspension	14	2.9	0.9×
drive system	10	2.1	0.7×
Identification of the vehicle	7	1.5	2.3×
audible warning (Horn)	7	1.5	2.9×

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 525EXC beats 1 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 525EXC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (81.6% pass). Weakest: 2004 (69.8%).

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 525EXC FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 525EXC reliable?

The KTM 525EXC is less reliable than average for its class: 77.8% of its 1,299 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3940 of 5426 models.

What does a 525EXC fail its MOT on most?

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

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

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (81.6%) and 2004 worst (69.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.