KTM 250 Exc vs Honda XR250

The Honda XR250 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 250 Exc: 78.8% vs 75.2%, a 3.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 250 Exc	Honda XR250
First-time pass rate	75.2%	78.8%
Outright fail rate	13.8%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-13.4 pts	-6.8 pts
Engine size	249cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#4276 of 5428	#3805 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,699	8,618
MOT tests analysed	6,322	9,277
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	lighting and signalling

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 250 Exc	Honda XR250
Lights & signalling	9.0%	7.1%
Steering & suspension	5.9%	4.8%
Tyres & wheels	3.5%	3.0%
Brakes	2.5%	3.8%
Drive system	0.9%	0.8%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	0.5%

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 250 Exc	Honda XR250
2018	74.3%	83.3%
2019	80.5%	78.0%
2020	76.5%	83.3%
2021	77.0%	81.7%
2022	75.6%	83.7%
2023	78.6%	84.3%
2024	78.3%	84.1%
2025	83.7%	82.6%

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 250 Exc	Honda XR250
0k-10k miles	75.6%	79.5%
10k-20k miles	77.5%	78.9%

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

KTM 250 Exc vs Honda XR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 250 Exc or the Honda XR250?

The Honda XR250 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 250 Exc: 78.8% vs 75.2%, a 3.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda XR250 still comes out ahead: -13.4 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 250 Exc, -6.8 for the Honda XR250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 250 Exc fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 9.0% of KTM 250 Exc MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.9%).

What does the Honda XR250 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.1% of Honda XR250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.8%).

KTM 250 EXC 75.2% pass · 6,322 tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests

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