KTM 690 Duke 12 vs Honda CB500

The KTM 690 Duke 12 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB500: 85.1% vs 83.3%, a 1.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 690 Duke 12	Honda CB500
First-time pass rate	85.1%	83.3%
Outright fail rate	6.6%	10.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.4 pts	-0.8 pts
Engine size	690cc	499cc
Rank among all models	#2469 of 5428	#2895 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,054	20,653
MOT tests analysed	1,077	104,748
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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 690 Duke 12	Honda CB500
Lights & signalling	4.3%	3.4%
Steering & suspension	1.1%	4.2%
Brakes	0.6%	4.2%
Tyres & wheels	1.6%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.5%	1.1%
Drive system	0.1%	1.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.4%

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 690 Duke 12	Honda CB500
2018	87.4%	84.0%
2019	85.5%	85.7%
2020	86.3%	89.1%
2021	86.9%	89.0%
2022	86.7%	89.1%
2023	80.2%	89.5%
2024	84.8%	90.1%
2025	84.4%	90.3%

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 690 Duke 12	Honda CB500
0k-10k miles	87.5%	92.5%
10k-20k miles	82.6%	86.3%
20k-30k miles	79.2%	80.5%

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

KTM 690 Duke 12 vs Honda CB500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 690 Duke 12 or the Honda CB500?

The KTM 690 Duke 12 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB500: 85.1% vs 83.3%, a 1.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CB500 still comes out ahead: -2.4 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 690 Duke 12, -0.8 for the Honda CB500. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 690 Duke 12 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.3% of KTM 690 Duke 12 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.6%).

What does the Honda CB500 fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 4.2% of Honda CB500 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.2%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the KTM 690 Duke 12 or the Honda CB500?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CB500 passes first time more often: 79.2% for the KTM 690 Duke 12 vs 80.5% for the Honda CB500.

KTM 690 DUKE 12 85.1% pass · 1,077 tests HONDA CB500 83.3% pass · 105k tests

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