KTM 400 Exc vs Kawasaki ER5

The Kawasaki ER5 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 400 Exc: 77.4% vs 77.3%, a 0.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 400 Exc	Kawasaki ER5
First-time pass rate	77.3%	77.4%
Outright fail rate	12.1%	14.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-11.4 pts	-6.2 pts
Engine size	400cc	498cc
Rank among all models	#4013 of 5428	#3999 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,637	21,259
MOT tests analysed	5,086	53,115
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	brakes

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 400 Exc	Kawasaki ER5
Lights & signalling	7.7%	5.1%
Steering & suspension	5.4%	5.4%
Brakes	2.1%	6.0%
Tyres & wheels	2.6%	3.6%
Drive system	0.6%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.6%	1.3%
Fuel & exhaust	0.3%	0.8%

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 400 Exc	Kawasaki ER5
2018	82.1%	78.3%
2019	80.6%	77.1%
2020	84.7%	79.4%
2021	79.8%	78.2%
2022	77.2%	77.7%
2023	79.7%	78.2%
2024	84.3%	77.8%
2025	77.1%	79.6%

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 400 Exc	Kawasaki ER5
0k-10k miles	77.1%	87.5%
10k-20k miles	81.3%	79.5%

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

KTM 400 Exc vs Kawasaki ER5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 400 Exc or the Kawasaki ER5?

The Kawasaki ER5 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 400 Exc: 77.4% vs 77.3%, a 0.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki ER5 still comes out ahead: -11.4 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 400 Exc, -6.2 for the Kawasaki ER5. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 400 Exc fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.7% of KTM 400 Exc MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.4%).

What does the Kawasaki ER5 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 6.0% of Kawasaki ER5 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.4%).

KTM 400 EXC 77.3% pass · 5,086 tests KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests

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