BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KTM/EXC250
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KTM EXC250

250cc Petrol Class 2
#4556 of 5428 overall #218 of 230 KTMs #2749 of 2788 other bikes
72.3%
first-time pass rate
16.8%
failed outright
2,434
median miles at test
870
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-14.5pp
vs expected · age & mileage

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

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2022

The EXC250's first-time pass rate has risen 5.0 points since 2006, 75.0% to 80.0%.

58%71%85%2006: 75.0% pass (32 tests)2007: 80.5% pass (41 tests)2008: 65.9% pass (41 tests)2009: 71.8% pass (39 tests)2010: 63.8% pass (47 tests)2011: 71.1% pass (45 tests)2012: 69.0% pass (58 tests)2013: 62.2% pass (74 tests)2014: 72.7% pass (66 tests)2015: 79.7% pass (79 tests)2016: 72.9% pass (59 tests)2017: 73.5% pass (49 tests)2018: 66.7% pass (30 tests)2020: 77.5% pass (40 tests)2021: 75.0% pass (36 tests)2022: 80.0% pass (30 tests)20062022

What fails on a EXC250

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
141 32.9 2.2×
steering and suspension
75 17.5 2.0×
tyres and wheels
40 9.3 1.9×
brakes
40 9.3 0.7×
reg plates and vin
32 7.5 4.4×
lamps and reflectors
32 7.5 1.2×
suspension
32 7.5 3.1×
drive system
20 4.7 2.2×
tyres
9 2.1 1.0×
structure and attachments
8 1.9 1.0×

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 EXC250 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 tests Compare head-to-head →

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 EXC250.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the EXC250

More KTM models

other KTM bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
KTM 950 85.0% pass · 9,802 tests
KTM 125 71.0% pass · 9,690 tests
KTM 640 LC4-E 80.6% pass · 8,115 tests
KTM 450 EXC 76.4% pass · 7,579 tests
KTM 250 EXC 75.2% pass · 6,322 tests
KTM SUPER DUKE 990 86.7% pass · 6,217 tests

See all KTM models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 2009 (75.9%). Lowest: 2004 (68.4%). Every EXC250 year compared →

67%72%77%2002: 68.5% pass (127 tests)2003: 75.2% pass (117 tests)2004: 68.4% pass (76 tests)2005: 70.7% pass (75 tests)2007: 75.4% pass (65 tests)2008: 74.6% pass (71 tests)2009: 75.9% pass (58 tests)2010: 72.2% pass (54 tests)200220072010

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 EXC250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM EXC250 reliable?

The KTM EXC250 is less reliable than average for its class: 72.3% of its 870 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4556 of 5428 models.

What does a EXC250 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling: 33% of all defects recorded against failed EXC250 tests.

What is the best year of EXC250 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (75.9%) and 2004 worst (68.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

Embed this bike

Free to embed on your site, blog or forum: a live KTM EXC250 reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.