KTM 450 Exc vs Kawasaki ER5

The Kawasaki ER5 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 450 Exc: 77.4% vs 76.4%, a 1.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 450 Exc	Kawasaki ER5
First-time pass rate	76.4%	77.4%
Outright fail rate	12.7%	14.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-11.1 pts	-6.2 pts
Engine size	450cc	498cc
Rank among all models	#4137 of 5428	#3999 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,298	21,259
MOT tests analysed	7,579	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 450 Exc	Kawasaki ER5
Lights & signalling	8.3%	5.1%
Steering & suspension	5.7%	5.4%
Brakes	2.4%	6.0%
Tyres & wheels	2.9%	3.6%
Drive system	0.8%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.5%	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 450 Exc	Kawasaki ER5
2018	77.6%	78.3%
2019	81.2%	77.1%
2020	82.0%	79.4%
2021	81.1%	78.2%
2022	78.0%	77.7%
2023	79.7%	78.2%
2024	83.2%	77.8%
2025	84.3%	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 450 Exc	Kawasaki ER5
0k-10k miles	77.5%	87.5%
10k-20k miles	82.2%	79.5%

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

KTM 450 Exc vs Kawasaki ER5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 450 Exc or the Kawasaki ER5?

The Kawasaki ER5 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 450 Exc: 77.4% vs 76.4%, a 1.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki ER5 still comes out ahead: -11.1 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 450 Exc, -6.2 for the Kawasaki ER5. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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

Lights & signalling: 8.3% of KTM 450 Exc MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.7%).

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 450 EXC 76.4% pass · 7,579 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.