KTM 640

625cc Petrol Class 2

#2909 of 5426 overall #116 of 230 KTMs #1836 of 2787 other bikes

83.2%

first-time pass rate

8.4%

failed outright

10,553

median miles at test

2,463

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The 640's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.4 points since 2006, 83.8% to 77.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 640's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 640 passes first time 85.7% of the time; by 40k that's 82.6%.

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 640

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	175	39.7	1.1×
steering and suspension	78	17.7	0.8×
reg plates and vin	47	10.7	2.5×
lamps and reflectors	43	9.8	0.7×
tyres and wheels	32	7.3	0.6×
brakes	29	6.6	0.2×
drive system	16	3.6	0.7×
suspension	8	1.8	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	7	1.6	0.4×
driving controls	6	1.4	1.0×

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 640 beats 3 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 640.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (88.5% pass). Weakest: 1999 (71.1%).

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 640 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 640 reliable?

The KTM 640 is about average for its class: 83.2% of its 2,463 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2909 of 5426 models.

What does a 640 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 40% of all defects recorded against failed 640 tests.

What is the best year of 640 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (88.5%) and 1999 worst (71.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 640 last?

The median 640 shows 10,553 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 82.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.