KTM 525 Exc Racing vs Suzuki SV650S

The Suzuki SV650S passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 525 Exc Racing: 80.6% vs 77.1%, a 3.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 525 Exc Racing	Suzuki SV650S
First-time pass rate	77.1%	80.6%
Outright fail rate	11.5%	11.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-11.8 pts	-4.0 pts
Engine size	520cc	645cc
Rank among all models	#4044 of 5428	#3459 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,627	16,958
MOT tests analysed	2,297	84,632
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 525 Exc Racing	Suzuki SV650S
Lights & signalling	8.0%	5.0%
Brakes	2.4%	4.7%
Steering & suspension	4.1%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	2.4%	3.0%
Drive system	0.8%	1.2%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.9%
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 525 Exc Racing	Suzuki SV650S
2013	77.0%	77.9%
2014	81.2%	78.3%
2015	78.2%	78.6%
2016	74.3%	78.9%
2017	75.2%	78.3%
2018	73.6%	80.4%
2019	86.7%	80.0%
2020	78.3%	80.8%

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 525 Exc Racing	Suzuki SV650S
0k-10k miles	76.6%	88.2%
10k-20k miles	80.6%	81.6%

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

KTM 525 Exc Racing vs Suzuki SV650S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 525 Exc Racing or the Suzuki SV650S?

The Suzuki SV650S passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 525 Exc Racing: 80.6% vs 77.1%, a 3.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki SV650S still comes out ahead: -11.8 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 525 Exc Racing, -4.0 for the Suzuki SV650S. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 525 Exc Racing fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.0% of KTM 525 Exc Racing MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.1%).

What does the Suzuki SV650S fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.0% of Suzuki SV650S MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.7%).

KTM 525 EXC RACING 77.1% pass · 2,297 tests SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k tests

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