KTM 690

690cc Petrol Class 2

#2230 of 5426 overall #78 of 230 KTMs #1380 of 2787 other bikes

85.9%

first-time pass rate

6.7%

failed outright

7,084

median miles at test

6,149

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The 690's first-time pass rate has risen 6.0 points since 2016, 81.8% to 87.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 690's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 690 passes first time 86.8% of the time; by 30k that's 85.9%.

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 690

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	290	37.3	2.0×
brakes	106	13.6	0.3×
tyres	67	8.6	1.4×
structure and attachments	66	8.5	1.3×
Identification of the vehicle	66	8.5	4.6×
suspension	61	7.9	1.2×
lighting and signalling	55	7.1	0.1×
audible warning (Horn)	25	3.2	2.2×
reg plates and vin	22	2.8	0.4×
steering	19	2.4	0.7×

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 690 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 690.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2017 (89.3% pass). Weakest: 2008 (82.2%).

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 690 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 690 reliable?

The KTM 690 is about average for its class: 85.9% of its 6,149 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2230 of 5426 models.

What does a 690 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 37% of all defects recorded against failed 690 tests.

What is the best year of 690 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (89.3%) and 2008 worst (82.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 690 last?

The median 690 shows 7,084 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 85.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.