KTM 790 DUKE 18

799cc Petrol Class 2

#1666 of 5426 overall #50 of 230 KTMs #73 of 205 naked bikes

87.8%

first-time pass rate

5.9%

failed outright

7,267

median miles at test

2,425

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2021–2025

The 790 DUKE 18's first-time pass rate has risen 4.4 points since 2021, 85.2% to 89.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 790 DUKE 18's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 790 DUKE 18 passes first time 88.3% of the time; by 20k that's 82.2%.

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 790 DUKE 18

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	80	34.8	1.7×
brakes	62	27	0.6×
structure and attachments	34	14.8	1.6×
tyres	20	8.7	1.2×
Identification of the vehicle	18	7.8	3.2×
suspension	10	4.3	0.6×
steering	3	1.3	0.3×
audible warning (Horn)	2	0.9	0.5×
wheels	1	0.4	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 790 DUKE 18 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE, APRILIA TUONO, HONDA CB600 HORNET).

TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE 87.7% pass · 37.7k tests APRILIA TUONO 88.4% pass · 34.7k tests HONDA CB600 HORNET 78.6% pass · 26.4k tests TRIUMPH TRIDENT 85.0% pass · 23.9k 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 790 DUKE 18.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2019 (89.3% pass). Weakest: 2018 (87.5%).

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 790 DUKE 18 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 790 DUKE 18 reliable?

The KTM 790 DUKE 18 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.8% of its 2,425 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1666 of 5426 models.

What does a 790 DUKE 18 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 35% of all defects recorded against failed 790 DUKE 18 tests.

How many miles will a 790 DUKE 18 last?

The median 790 DUKE 18 shows 7,267 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 82.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.