KTM 390 vs Kawasaki ZXR400

The KTM 390 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZXR400: 86.4% vs 73.1%, a 13.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 390	Kawasaki ZXR400
First-time pass rate	86.4%	73.1%
Outright fail rate	7.2%	18.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.0 pts	-9.9 pts
Engine size	373cc	398cc
Rank among all models	#2091 of 5428	#4490 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,598	23,651
MOT tests analysed	3,737	14,200
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	Kawasaki ZXR400
Lights & signalling	3.0%	9.1%
Brakes	2.0%	7.9%
Steering & suspension	1.4%	7.9%
Tyres & wheels	1.5%	4.0%
Structure & body	2.1%	2.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.0%	2.4%
Drive system	0.1%	1.9%

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	Kawasaki ZXR400
2018	85.7%	75.9%
2019	86.4%	79.3%
2020	86.9%	80.4%
2021	86.1%	81.2%
2022	87.7%	86.3%
2023	86.6%	82.8%
2024	85.9%	80.0%
2025	86.8%	88.4%

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	Kawasaki ZXR400
0k-10k miles	87.8%	87.1%
10k-20k miles	82.0%	77.4%
20k-30k miles	78.9%	69.9%

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

KTM 390 vs Kawasaki ZXR400 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 390 or the Kawasaki ZXR400?

The KTM 390 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZXR400: 86.4% vs 73.1%, a 13.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the KTM 390 still comes out ahead: -2.0 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 390, -9.9 for the Kawasaki ZXR400. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 390 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.0% of KTM 390 MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (2.1%).

What does the Kawasaki ZXR400 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 9.1% of Kawasaki ZXR400 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (7.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the KTM 390 or the Kawasaki ZXR400?

At 20k-30k miles the KTM 390 passes first time more often: 78.9% for the KTM 390 vs 69.9% for the Kawasaki ZXR400.

KTM 390 86.4% pass · 3,737 tests KAWASAKI ZXR400 73.1% pass · 14.2k tests

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