KTM 300 Exc vs Yamaha RD350

The Yamaha RD350 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 300 Exc: 86.3% vs 78.0%, a 8.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 300 Exc	Yamaha RD350
First-time pass rate	78.0%	86.3%
Outright fail rate	11.4%	6.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-10.5 pts	+2.4 pts
Engine size	300cc	347cc
Rank among all models	#3913 of 5428	#2120 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,705	23,256
MOT tests analysed	3,474	19,574
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 300 Exc	Yamaha RD350
Lights & signalling	8.1%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	4.4%	2.5%
Brakes	2.1%	2.7%
Tyres & wheels	3.4%	0.9%
Drive system	0.6%	0.5%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.4%

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 300 Exc	Yamaha RD350
2018	82.6%	88.8%
2019	82.6%	91.0%
2020	77.5%	92.0%
2021	83.4%	90.1%
2022	76.4%	90.5%
2023	86.5%	92.2%
2024	78.2%	94.8%
2025	81.4%	93.5%

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

KTM 300 Exc vs Yamaha RD350 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 300 Exc or the Yamaha RD350?

The Yamaha RD350 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 300 Exc: 86.3% vs 78.0%, a 8.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha RD350 still comes out ahead: -10.5 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 300 Exc, +2.4 for the Yamaha RD350. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 300 Exc fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.1% of KTM 300 Exc MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.4%).

What does the Yamaha RD350 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.2% of Yamaha RD350 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.7%).

KTM 300 EXC 78.0% pass · 3,474 tests YAMAHA RD350 86.3% pass · 19.6k tests

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