KTM 625 SMC

625cc Petrol Class 2

#3770 of 5426 overall #170 of 230 KTMs #2396 of 2787 other bikes

79.0%

first-time pass rate

9.6%

failed outright

6,784

median miles at test

1,804

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 625 SMC's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.4 points since 2007, 88.4% to 85.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 625 SMC's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

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

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 625 SMC 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 HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 625 SMC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

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

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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 #3770 of 5426 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.