KTM 300 Exc vs Yamaha WR250F

The KTM 300 Exc and Yamaha WR250F have an identical 78.0% first-time MOT pass rate.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 300 Exc	Yamaha WR250F
First-time pass rate	78.0%	78.0%
Outright fail rate	11.4%	12.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-10.5 pts	-10.7 pts
Engine size	300cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#3913 of 5428	#3913 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,705	3,018
MOT tests analysed	3,474	10,465
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 WR250F
Lights & signalling	8.1%	8.2%
Steering & suspension	4.4%	5.1%
Tyres & wheels	3.4%	3.0%
Brakes	2.1%	2.2%
Drive system	0.6%	0.7%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.5%
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 WR250F
2018	82.6%	79.2%
2019	82.6%	77.2%
2020	77.5%	82.5%
2021	83.4%	80.4%
2022	76.4%	76.2%
2023	86.5%	82.1%
2024	78.2%	80.2%
2025	81.4%	81.6%

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

KTM 300 Exc vs Yamaha WR250F FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 300 Exc or the Yamaha WR250F?

The KTM 300 Exc and Yamaha WR250F have an identical 78.0% first-time MOT pass rate. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-10.5 vs -10.7 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 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 WR250F fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.2% of Yamaha WR250F MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.1%).

KTM 300 EXC 78.0% pass · 3,474 tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests

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