BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KTM/525SMR
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KTM 525SMR

510cc Petrol Class 2
#3788 of 5428 overall #172 of 230 KTMs #2405 of 2788 other bikes
78.9%
first-time pass rate
10.3%
failed outright
2,959
median miles at test
1,017
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-9.7pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2021

The 525SMR's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.5 points since 2006, 87.2% to 85.7%.

66%79%92%2006: 87.2% pass (39 tests)2007: 83.6% pass (61 tests)2008: 75.6% pass (82 tests)2009: 70.0% pass (90 tests)2010: 77.0% pass (87 tests)2011: 77.3% pass (75 tests)2012: 74.0% pass (73 tests)2013: 73.1% pass (67 tests)2014: 78.7% pass (61 tests)2015: 71.6% pass (67 tests)2016: 83.9% pass (56 tests)2017: 79.1% pass (43 tests)2018: 83.3% pass (30 tests)2021: 85.7% pass (35 tests)20062021

What fails on a 525SMR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
136 43.2 1.5×
tyres and wheels
41 13 1.3×
steering and suspension
39 12.4 0.9×
reg plates and vin
31 9.8 3.8×
brakes
26 8.3 0.4×
lamps and reflectors
20 6.3 0.6×
fuel and exhaust
10 3.2 1.2×
drive system
6 1.9 0.8×
Identification of the vehicle
3 1 1.3×
Items Not Tested
3 1 3.2×

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 525SMR beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k tests Compare head-to-head →

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 525SMR.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the 525SMR

More KTM models

other KTM bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
KTM 950 85.0% pass · 9,802 tests
KTM 125 71.0% pass · 9,690 tests
KTM 640 LC4-E 80.6% pass · 8,115 tests
KTM 450 EXC 76.4% pass · 7,579 tests
KTM 250 EXC 75.2% pass · 6,322 tests
KTM SUPER DUKE 990 86.7% pass · 6,217 tests

See all KTM models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 2004 (79.8%). Lowest: 2002 (75.0%). Every 525SMR year compared →

74%77%81%2002: 75.0% pass (104 tests)2003: 79.6% pass (225 tests)2004: 79.8% pass (263 tests)2005: 78.9% pass (147 tests)2006: 77.6% pass (134 tests)2007: 75.4% pass (65 tests)200220052007

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 525SMR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 525SMR reliable?

The KTM 525SMR is less reliable than average for its class: 78.9% of its 1,017 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3788 of 5428 models.

What does a 525SMR fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling: 43% of all defects recorded against failed 525SMR tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (79.8%) and 2002 worst (75.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

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