BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KTM/EXC450
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KTM EXC450

450cc Petrol Class 2
#4314 of 5428 overall #208 of 230 KTMs #2662 of 2788 other bikes
74.9%
first-time pass rate
13.4%
failed outright
3,242
median miles at test
885
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-13.4pp
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 · 2006–2023

The EXC450's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.9 points since 2006, 82.4% to 76.5%.

63%76%88%2006: 82.4% pass (34 tests)2007: 73.8% pass (42 tests)2008: 68.3% pass (41 tests)2009: 71.7% pass (53 tests)2010: 70.0% pass (50 tests)2011: 73.1% pass (52 tests)2012: 76.4% pass (55 tests)2013: 70.1% pass (67 tests)2014: 67.7% pass (65 tests)2015: 82.1% pass (56 tests)2016: 81.3% pass (48 tests)2017: 83.7% pass (43 tests)2018: 71.1% pass (45 tests)2019: 82.9% pass (41 tests)2021: 67.4% pass (43 tests)2022: 80.6% pass (36 tests)2023: 76.5% pass (34 tests)20062023

What fails on a EXC450

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
125 32.1 1.6×
lamps and reflectors
58 14.9 1.7×
steering and suspension
52 13.4 1.4×
reg plates and vin
33 8.5 4.7×
tyres and wheels
33 8.5 1.4×
brakes
32 8.2 0.6×
suspension
19 4.9 2.0×
Identification of the vehicle
14 3.6 6.4×
audible warning (Horn)
12 3.1 7.4×
tyres
11 2.8 1.7×

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 EXC450 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, YAMAHA XV535, SUZUKI GS500).

KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA XV535 82.7% pass · 48.1k 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 →

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 EXC450.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the EXC450

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 (82.1%). Lowest: 2006 (71.3%). Every EXC450 year compared →

69%77%84%2002: 73.2% pass (123 tests)2003: 76.7% pass (305 tests)2004: 82.1% pass (106 tests)2005: 77.4% pass (62 tests)2006: 71.3% pass (94 tests)2008: 71.9% pass (64 tests)200220052008

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 EXC450 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM EXC450 reliable?

The KTM EXC450 is less reliable than average for its class: 74.9% of its 885 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4314 of 5428 models.

What does a EXC450 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling: 32% of all defects recorded against failed EXC450 tests.

What is the best year of EXC450 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (82.1%) and 2006 worst (71.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

Embed this bike

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