KTM 390 Duke 18 vs Honda CB400N

The KTM 390 Duke 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB400N: 89.5% vs 77.5%, a 12.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 390 Duke 18	Honda CB400N
First-time pass rate	89.5%	77.5%
Outright fail rate	4.8%	12.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.4 pts	-5.6 pts
Engine size	373cc	395cc
Rank among all models	#1113 of 5428	#3977 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,582	30,448
MOT tests analysed	1,030	5,366
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 390 Duke 18	Honda CB400N
Lights & signalling	1.9%	5.8%
Steering & suspension	1.0%	5.5%
Brakes	1.6%	4.3%
Tyres & wheels	1.2%	2.4%
Structure & body	1.3%	1.0%
Drive system	0%	2.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	1.0%

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 390 Duke 18	Honda CB400N
2021	86.2%	83.3%
2022	91.6%	80.9%
2023	88.0%	89.0%
2024	91.2%	86.0%

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 390 Duke 18	Honda CB400N
0k-10k miles	89.7%	78.4%
10k-20k miles	88.7%	81.1%

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

KTM 390 Duke 18 vs Honda CB400N FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 390 Duke 18 or the Honda CB400N?

The KTM 390 Duke 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB400N: 89.5% vs 77.5%, a 12.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the KTM 390 Duke 18 still comes out ahead: +0.4 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 390 Duke 18, -5.6 for the Honda CB400N. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 390 Duke 18 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.9% of KTM 390 Duke 18 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.6%).

What does the Honda CB400N fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.8% of Honda CB400N MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.5%).

KTM 390 DUKE 18 89.5% pass · 1,030 tests HONDA CB400N 77.5% pass · 5,366 tests

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