KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 vs Aprilia Tuono

The KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia Tuono: 90.1% vs 88.4%, a 1.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	KTM 1290 Superduke R 18	Aprilia Tuono
First-time pass rate	90.1%	88.4%
Outright fail rate	3.7%	5.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.0 pts	+2.3 pts
Engine size	1,301cc	998cc
Rank among all models	#921 of 5428	#1478 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,976	11,489
MOT tests analysed	1,636	34,724
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	KTM 1290 Superduke R 18	Aprilia Tuono
Lights & signalling	1.6%	2.5%
Brakes	1.1%	1.5%
Tyres & wheels	0.9%	1.1%
Steering & suspension	0.2%	1.2%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.6%
Drive system	0%	0.3%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.2%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	KTM 1290 Superduke R 18	Aprilia Tuono
2021	89.7%	90.2%
2022	89.3%	89.9%
2023	89.8%	90.4%
2024	92.4%	91.3%
2025	90.0%	90.3%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	KTM 1290 Superduke R 18	Aprilia Tuono
0k-10k miles	91.3%	90.7%
10k-20k miles	88.0%	87.2%
20k-30k miles	88.3%	86.2%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 vs Aprilia Tuono FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 or the Aprilia Tuono?

The KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia Tuono: 90.1% vs 88.4%, a 1.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+2.0 vs +2.3 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.6% of KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.1%).

What does the Aprilia Tuono fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.5% of Aprilia Tuono MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 or the Aprilia Tuono?

At 20k-30k miles the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 passes first time more often: 88.3% for the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 vs 86.2% for the Aprilia Tuono.

KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 90.1% pass · 1,636 tests APRILIA TUONO 88.4% pass · 34.7k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.