KTM 300 vs Yamaha RD350

The Yamaha RD350 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 300: 86.3% vs 80.3%, a 6.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 300	Yamaha RD350
First-time pass rate	80.3%	86.3%
Outright fail rate	9.0%	6.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-8.4 pts	+2.4 pts
Engine size	293cc	347cc
Rank among all models	#3516 of 5428	#2120 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,473	23,256
MOT tests analysed	2,386	19,574
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Yamaha RD350
Lights & signalling	5.2%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	3.3%	2.5%
Brakes	1.5%	2.7%
Tyres & wheels	2.6%	0.9%
Structure & body	0.9%	0.4%
Drive system	0.2%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	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	Yamaha RD350
2018	82.2%	88.8%
2019	82.6%	91.0%
2020	77.0%	92.0%
2021	80.0%	90.1%
2022	76.9%	90.5%
2023	83.0%	92.2%
2024	76.9%	94.8%
2025	82.4%	93.5%

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

KTM 300 vs Yamaha RD350 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Yamaha RD350 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 300: 86.3% vs 80.3%, a 6.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha RD350 still comes out ahead: -8.4 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 300, +2.4 for the Yamaha RD350. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 300 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.2% of KTM 300 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.3%).

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 80.3% pass · 2,386 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.