BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KTM/EXC400
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KTM EXC400

400cc Petrol Class 2
#4197 of 5428 overall #198 of 230 KTMs #2615 of 2788 other bikes
75.9%
first-time pass rate
14.6%
failed outright
3,110
median miles at test
686
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-10.7pp
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 · 2006–2021

The EXC400's first-time pass rate has risen 4.5 points since 2006, 72.2% to 76.7%.

66%80%95%2006: 72.2% pass (36 tests)2007: 72.2% pass (36 tests)2008: 80.0% pass (40 tests)2009: 70.5% pass (44 tests)2010: 70.5% pass (44 tests)2011: 73.2% pass (41 tests)2012: 75.6% pass (41 tests)2013: 73.9% pass (46 tests)2014: 76.5% pass (51 tests)2015: 83.3% pass (48 tests)2016: 90.2% pass (41 tests)2017: 74.4% pass (39 tests)2021: 76.7% pass (30 tests)20062021

What fails on a EXC400

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
124 39.1 2.1×
steering and suspension
46 14.5 1.6×
reg plates and vin
33 10.4 5.6×
lamps and reflectors
32 10.1 1.6×
tyres and wheels
28 8.8 1.6×
brakes
23 7.3 0.5×
Identification of the vehicle
8 2.5 5.0×
suspension
8 2.5 1.2×
tyres
8 2.5 0.9×
drive system
7 2.2 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 EXC400 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, SUZUKI GS500, SUZUKI AN400).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI GS500 76.4% pass · 44.9k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k 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 EXC400.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the EXC400

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: 2004 (80.0%). Lowest: 2002 (72.6%). Every EXC400 year compared →

71%76%81%2000: 76.1% pass (71 tests)2001: 76.2% pass (105 tests)2002: 72.6% pass (230 tests)2004: 80.0% pass (70 tests)2005: 76.3% pass (59 tests)2006: 79.7% pass (64 tests)200020042006

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 EXC400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM EXC400 reliable?

The KTM EXC400 is less reliable than average for its class: 75.9% of its 686 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4197 of 5428 models.

What does a EXC400 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling: 39% of all defects recorded against failed EXC400 tests.

What is the best year of EXC400 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (80.0%) and 2002 worst (72.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

Embed this bike

Free to embed on your site, blog or forum: a live KTM EXC400 reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.