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 690 DUKE 12's first-time pass rate has risen 3.7 points since 2015, 80.7% to 84.4%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage 690 DUKE 12 passes first time 87.5% of the time; by 20k that's 79.2%.
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 DUKE 12
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
44 | 38.3 | 2.0× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
14 | 12.2 | 0.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
13 | 11.3 | 0.5× |
| brakes |
|
10 | 8.7 | 0.1× |
| suspension |
|
8 | 7 | 1.0× |
| tyres |
|
6 | 5.2 | 0.7× |
| structure and attachments |
|
6 | 5.2 | 0.7× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
6 | 5.2 | 2.4× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
5 | 4.3 | 2.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
3 | 2.6 | 0.3× |
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 690 DUKE 12 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (HONDA CB500, TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE, HONDA CB600 HORNET).
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 DUKE 12.
Compare with any bike
More KTM models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2012 (85.3% pass). Weakest: 2013 (81.0%).
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 DUKE 12 FAQ
Is the KTM 690 DUKE 12 reliable?
The KTM 690 DUKE 12 is about average for its class: 85.1% of its 1,077 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2469 of 5428 models.
What does a 690 DUKE 12 fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors — 38% of all defects recorded against failed 690 DUKE 12 tests.
How many miles will a 690 DUKE 12 last?
The median 690 DUKE 12 shows 8,054 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 79.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
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