KTM 450 Exc-R vs Yamaha XV535

The Yamaha XV535 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 450 Exc-R: 82.7% vs 78.3%, a 4.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 450 Exc-R	Yamaha XV535
First-time pass rate	78.3%	82.7%
Outright fail rate	11.9%	9.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-9.9 pts	-1.8 pts
Engine size	449cc	535cc
Rank among all models	#3872 of 5428	#3029 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,080	15,604
MOT tests analysed	2,071	48,056
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 450 Exc-R	Yamaha XV535
Lights & signalling	8.4%	3.8%
Steering & suspension	4.4%	3.5%
Tyres & wheels	2.8%	2.9%
Brakes	2.1%	2.4%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	1.2%
Drive system	0.5%	0.0%

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 450 Exc-R	Yamaha XV535
2018	83.5%	84.3%
2019	76.0%	84.8%
2020	75.8%	84.6%
2021	80.7%	84.9%
2022	86.4%	83.4%
2023	85.1%	84.5%
2024	75.0%	84.5%
2025	76.1%	84.0%

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 450 Exc-R	Yamaha XV535
0k-10k miles	79.3%	88.7%
10k-20k miles	80.0%	83.3%

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

KTM 450 Exc-R vs Yamaha XV535 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 450 Exc-R or the Yamaha XV535?

The Yamaha XV535 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 450 Exc-R: 82.7% vs 78.3%, a 4.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha XV535 still comes out ahead: -9.9 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 450 Exc-R, -1.8 for the Yamaha XV535. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 450 Exc-R fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.4% of KTM 450 Exc-R MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.4%).

What does the Yamaha XV535 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.8% of Yamaha XV535 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.5%).

KTM 450 EXC-R 78.3% pass · 2,071 tests YAMAHA XV535 82.7% pass · 48.1k tests

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