KTM 690 vs Yamaha FZS600

The KTM 690 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 85.9% vs 82.6%, a 3.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 690	Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate	85.9%	82.6%
Outright fail rate	6.7%	10.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.0 pts	-0.8 pts
Engine size	690cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#2232 of 5428	#3052 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,084	21,612
MOT tests analysed	6,149	136,558
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	Yamaha FZS600
Lights & signalling	3.7%	3.4%
Brakes	1.4%	4.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.1%	2.9%
Steering & suspension	1.2%	2.7%
Structure & body	0.9%	1.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	1.1%
Drive system	0.1%	0.9%

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	Yamaha FZS600
2018	84.0%	81.3%
2019	84.7%	83.0%
2020	88.7%	83.6%
2021	84.6%	82.8%
2022	86.0%	83.6%
2023	85.9%	84.2%
2024	88.5%	83.3%
2025	87.8%	84.0%

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	Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles	86.8%	89.6%
10k-20k miles	84.6%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	80.3%	81.4%
30k-40k miles	85.9%	78.7%

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

KTM 690 vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 690 or the Yamaha FZS600?

The KTM 690 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 85.9% vs 82.6%, a 3.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha FZS600 still comes out ahead: -2.0 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 690, -0.8 for the Yamaha FZS600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 690 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.7% of KTM 690 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.4%).

What does the Yamaha FZS600 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.5% of Yamaha FZS600 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the KTM 690 or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 30k-40k miles the KTM 690 passes first time more often: 85.9% for the KTM 690 vs 78.7% for the Yamaha FZS600.

KTM 690 85.9% pass · 6,149 tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests

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