KTM 525EXC vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Kawasaki ZX-6R passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 525EXC: 78.1% vs 77.8%, a 0.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 525EXC	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	77.8%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	11.8%	14.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-9.5 pts	-5.8 pts
Engine size	520cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#3940 of 5428	#3895 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,756	19,446
MOT tests analysed	1,299	173,956
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 525EXC	Kawasaki ZX-6R
Lights & signalling	8.2%	6.1%
Steering & suspension	4.5%	4.6%
Brakes	2.1%	5.2%
Tyres & wheels	3.1%	3.6%
Structure & body	0.5%	1.2%
Drive system	0.5%	1.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	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 525EXC	Kawasaki ZX-6R
2016	81.5%	77.7%
2017	85.7%	77.1%
2018	90.9%	78.5%
2019	81.6%	78.5%
2020	82.5%	78.1%
2021	80.0%	78.6%
2022	82.9%	79.4%
2023	89.2%	79.8%

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

KTM 525EXC vs Kawasaki ZX-6R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 525EXC or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

The Kawasaki ZX-6R passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 525EXC: 78.1% vs 77.8%, a 0.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki ZX-6R still comes out ahead: -9.5 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 525EXC, -5.8 for the Kawasaki ZX-6R. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 525EXC fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.2% of KTM 525EXC MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.5%).

What does the Kawasaki ZX-6R fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.1% of Kawasaki ZX-6R MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (5.2%).

KTM 525EXC 77.8% pass · 1,299 tests KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests

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