Skip to main content
Pass Your MOT

Ktm 990sm MOT Pass Rate

Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 141 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 7.8%.

92.2%
Pass Rate
7.8%
Fail Rate
141
Total Tests
Motorcycle brakes
Top Failure

Data from official DVSA MOT testing records

Ktm 990sm MOT Reliability Overview

The Ktm 990sm is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 141 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.2% and a failure rate of 7.8%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.

Based on this data, the Ktm 990sm earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Ktm 990sm presents for MOT with approximately 16,593 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 2008 models achieve the highest pass rate at 92.6%, while 2009 models have the lowest at 92.3%. This 0.3 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.

The most common MOT failure for the Ktm 990sm is Motorcycle brakes, affecting 5.0% of all tests. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. The second most common issue is Motorcycle lighting and signalling at 4.3%. Motorcycle tyres and wheels rounds out the top three at 4.3%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.

Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.

What Fails Most

Motorcycle brakes 5.0%
Motorcycle lighting and signalling 4.3%
Motorcycle tyres and wheels 4.3%
⚖️ Compare

Pass Rate by Manufacture Year

92.3%
Tests Avg Mileage 13,846Top Failure Motorcycle brakes
92.6%
Tests Avg Mileage 18,945Top Failure Motorcycle lighting and signalling

* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).

What Fails on This Car?

Click a category to see specific failure items.

View as table
MOT failure categories ranked by failure rate
RankFailure CategoryRate (%)Count
1Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling5.7%8
2Motorcycle Brakes5.0%7
3Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels4.3%6
4Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust2.1%3
5Motorcycle Steering And Suspension0.7%1
6Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors0.7%1

Failures per 10,000 Miles

avg. 16,593 mi

For every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.

Motorcycle lighting and signalling3.42% per 10K miMotorcycle brakes2.99% per 10K miMotorcycle tyres and wheels2.56% per 10K miMotorcycle fuel and exhaust1.28% per 10K miMotorcycle steering and suspension0.43% per 10K miMotorcycle lamps and reflectors0.43% per 10K mi
View as table
Mileage-normalised failure rates by category
CategoryRate / 10K miRaw %Count
Motorcycle lighting and signalling3.425.7%8
Motorcycle brakes2.995.0%7
Motorcycle tyres and wheels2.564.3%6
Motorcycle fuel and exhaust1.282.1%3
Motorcycle steering and suspension0.430.7%1
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors0.430.7%1

🚗 Similar Cars to Consider

🚗
No comparable models

Mileage at MOT

16,593
Mean
13,292
Median
10,306
25th Percentile
19,617
75th Percentile

The average Ktm 990sm has 16,593 miles when tested for MOT.

📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate

How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.

4.70%
Fail Rate per 10K Miles
Average across all makes: 5.38%
7.8%
Overall Fail Rate
16,593 avg miles
⚠️ Average — typical failure rate

The Ktm 990sm has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 4.70% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.

About Ktm 990sm MOT Data

The Ktm 990sm is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 141 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.2% and a failure rate of 7.8%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.

For Ktm 990sm owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle brakes and motorcycle lighting and signalling for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 990sm is likely to perform.

Motorcycle brakes — 5.0% of failures

Motorcycle brakes issues account for 5.0% of MOT failures on the Ktm 990sm. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).

Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 4.3% of failures

Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 4.3% of MOT failures on the Ktm 990sm. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.

Motorcycle tyres and wheels — 4.3% of failures

Motorcycle tyres and wheels issues account for 4.3% of MOT failures on the Ktm 990sm. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Ktm 990sm?

Based on 141 MOT tests in our database, the Ktm 990sm has an overall pass rate of 92.2% (7.8% fail rate).

What are the most common MOT failures on a Ktm 990sm?

The top 3 reasons a Ktm 990sm fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle brakes (5.0%), 2. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (4.3%), 3. Motorcycle tyres and wheels (4.3%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.

Is the Ktm 990sm reliable?

With a 7.8% MOT failure rate, the 990sm is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.

What should I check before an MOT on my Ktm 990sm?

Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle brakes (5.0%); Motorcycle lighting and signalling (4.3%); Motorcycle tyres and wheels (4.3%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.

Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

Share via WhatsApp Share on Facebook Report Issue