KTM 625 SMC vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The KTM 625 SMC passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 79.0% vs 78.1%, a 0.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 625 SMC	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	79.0%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	9.6%	14.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-8.1 pts	-5.8 pts
Engine size	625cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#3771 of 5428	#3895 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,784	19,446
MOT tests analysed	1,804	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 625 SMC	Kawasaki ZX-6R
Lights & signalling	6.3%	6.1%
Steering & suspension	2.2%	4.6%
Brakes	1.2%	5.2%
Tyres & wheels	2.1%	3.6%
Drive system	0.5%	1.0%
Structure & body	0.2%	1.2%
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 625 SMC	Kawasaki ZX-6R
2018	84.4%	78.5%
2019	83.1%	78.5%
2020	82.7%	78.1%
2021	87.7%	78.6%
2022	84.2%	79.4%
2023	90.7%	79.8%
2024	84.8%	80.3%
2025	85.0%	81.1%

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 625 SMC	Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles	80.1%	86.1%
10k-20k miles	79.4%	80.6%
20k-30k miles	76.5%	75.4%

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

KTM 625 SMC vs Kawasaki ZX-6R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 625 SMC or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

The KTM 625 SMC passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 79.0% vs 78.1%, a 0.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki ZX-6R still comes out ahead: -8.1 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 625 SMC, -5.8 for the Kawasaki ZX-6R. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 625 SMC fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.3% of KTM 625 SMC MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.2%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the KTM 625 SMC or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

At 20k-30k miles the KTM 625 SMC passes first time more often: 76.5% for the KTM 625 SMC vs 75.4% for the Kawasaki ZX-6R.

KTM 625 SMC 79.0% pass · 1,804 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.