KTM Exc vs Yamaha RD350

The Yamaha RD350 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM Exc: 86.3% vs 73.7%, a 12.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM Exc	Yamaha RD350
First-time pass rate	73.7%	86.3%
Outright fail rate	13.9%	6.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-11.7 pts	+2.4 pts
Engine size	300cc	347cc
Rank among all models	#4432 of 5428	#2120 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,674	23,256
MOT tests analysed	5,084	19,574
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 Exc	Yamaha RD350
Lights & signalling	9.2%	3.2%
Steering & suspension	6.1%	2.5%
Brakes	2.5%	2.7%
Tyres & wheels	4.2%	0.9%
Drive system	0.9%	0.5%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	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 Exc	Yamaha RD350
2018	75.1%	88.8%
2019	76.2%	91.0%
2020	78.3%	92.0%
2021	80.3%	90.1%
2022	80.4%	90.5%
2023	82.4%	92.2%
2024	80.5%	94.8%
2025	78.0%	93.5%

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 Exc	Yamaha RD350
0k-10k miles	75.6%	88.9%
10k-20k miles	78.2%	87.5%

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

KTM Exc vs Yamaha RD350 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM Exc or the Yamaha RD350?

The Yamaha RD350 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM Exc: 86.3% vs 73.7%, a 12.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha RD350 still comes out ahead: -11.7 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM Exc, +2.4 for the Yamaha RD350. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM Exc fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 9.2% of KTM Exc MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (6.1%).

What does the Yamaha RD350 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.2% of Yamaha RD350 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.7%).

KTM EXC 73.7% pass · 5,084 tests YAMAHA RD350 86.3% pass · 19.6k tests

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