KTM 450SMR vs Kawasaki ER5

The KTM 450SMR passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ER5: 79.5% vs 77.4%, a 2.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 450SMR	Kawasaki ER5
First-time pass rate	79.5%	77.4%
Outright fail rate	11.5%	14.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-8.6 pts	-6.2 pts
Engine size	449cc	498cc
Rank among all models	#3687 of 5428	#3999 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,952	21,259
MOT tests analysed	1,339	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 450SMR	Kawasaki ER5
Lights & signalling	7.4%	5.1%
Steering & suspension	3.7%	5.4%
Brakes	2.2%	6.0%
Tyres & wheels	3.1%	3.6%
Drive system	1.0%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.4%	1.3%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	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 450SMR	Kawasaki ER5
2018	81.5%	78.3%
2019	82.5%	77.1%
2020	80.0%	79.4%
2021	84.4%	78.2%
2022	85.1%	77.7%
2023	85.7%	78.2%
2024	77.8%	77.8%
2025	80.6%	79.6%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

KTM 450SMR vs Kawasaki ER5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The KTM 450SMR passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ER5: 79.5% vs 77.4%, a 2.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki ER5 still comes out ahead: -8.6 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 450SMR, -6.2 for the Kawasaki ER5. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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

Lights & signalling: 7.4% of KTM 450SMR MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.7%).

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 450SMR 79.5% pass · 1,339 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.