Pass rate over time
The EXC450's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.9 points since 2006, 82.4% to 76.5%.
What fails on a EXC450
| 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
On first-time pass rate the EXC450 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ER5, YAMAHA XV535, SUZUKI GS500).
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.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2004 (82.1% pass). Weakest: 2006 (71.3%).
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.
KTM EXC450 FAQ
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 #4311 of 5426 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.