KTM 990SMT

990cc Petrol Class 2

#2572 of 5426 overall #92 of 230 KTMs #1617 of 2787 other bikes

84.7%

first-time pass rate

9.3%

failed outright

15,987

median miles at test

268

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage 990SMT passes first time 81.8% of the time; by 20k that's 90.5%.

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 990SMT

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	15	38.5
lamps and reflectors	7	17.9
suspension	4	10.3
lighting and signalling	4	10.3
tyres and wheels	2	5.1
steering	2	5.1
audible warning (Horn)	2	5.1
steering and suspension	1	2.6
structure and attachments	1	2.6
body and structure	1	2.6

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 990SMT beats 1 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 990SMT.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (87.2% pass). Weakest: 2010 (81.6%).

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.