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
The 625 SMC's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.4 points since 2007, 88.4% to 85.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage 625 SMC passes first time 80.1% of the time; by 20k that's 76.5%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a 625 SMC
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
180 | 43.2 | 1.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
59 | 14.1 | 0.8× |
| steering and suspension |
|
40 | 9.6 | 0.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
39 | 9.4 | 0.9× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
33 | 7.9 | 3.0× |
| brakes |
|
30 | 7.2 | 0.3× |
| suspension |
|
10 | 2.4 | 0.5× |
| drive system |
|
10 | 2.4 | 0.7× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
8 | 1.9 | 1.9× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
8 | 1.9 | 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
On first-time pass rate the 625 SMC beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 625 SMC.
Compare with any bike
More KTM models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2004 (81.1% pass). Weakest: 2007 (71.3%).
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 625 SMC FAQ
Is the KTM 625 SMC reliable?
The KTM 625 SMC is less reliable than average for its class: 79.0% of its 1,804 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3771 of 5428 models.
What does a 625 SMC fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 43% of all defects recorded against failed 625 SMC tests.
What is the best year of 625 SMC to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (81.1%) and 2007 worst (71.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a 625 SMC last?
The median 625 SMC shows 6,784 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 76.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live KTM 625 SMC reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.