KTM 990 SM

990cc Petrol Class 2

#1303 of 5426 overall #44 of 230 KTMs #798 of 2787 other bikes

88.9%

first-time pass rate

5.7%

failed outright

14,885

median miles at test

296

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the 990 SM's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 990 SM passes first time 89.7% of the time; by 20k that's 89.8%.

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 990 SM

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	9	30
lighting and signalling	6	20
tyres and wheels	4	13.3
brakes	4	13.3
steering and suspension	3	10
structure and attachments	2	6.7
fuel and exhaust	1	3.3
body and structure	1	3.3

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 990 SM beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 990 SM.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (90.1% pass). Weakest: 2009 (89.3%).

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.