Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 884 vehicles, the 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 85.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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KTM 125 Duke 21 (2021)

884 real MOT outcomes analysed • 85.4% first-time pass rate

2021 KTM 125 Duke 21

CarHunch analysed 884 real MOT records for the 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2021 KTM 125 Duke has a first-time MOT pass rate of 61.4%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these bikes encounter genuine reliability challenges during their early years. With only 6.5% ever recording a dangerous defect, the issues are more about wear and maintenance than safety-critical failures, but the low pass rate remains a concern for buyers expecting trouble-free ownership.

At 7,424 km average mileage, these bikes are lightly used for their age, yet still accumulating 0.29 failures per vehicle on average—indicating the problems aren't simply down to hard riding or neglect. Before buying, insist on a full service history and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the drivetrain, electrics, and fuel system, as these young Duke models appear prone to issues that proper maintenance can help prevent.

The 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21 passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (85.4% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ Around 1 in 20 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

85.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

6.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.29

Over 1.7 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

Middle half: 4k–10k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 85.4% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 884 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 884 KTM 125 Duke 21 cars.

Before you buy a 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21

Based on MOT data from 884 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 6.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	877	85.3%	0.3

Colour Breakdown

Based on 944 KTM 125 Duke 21 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 52.5%

496

Silver 47.5%

448

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

6,441

typical

3,749

low mileage

10,035

high mileage

Half of all 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21 vehicles fall between 3,749 and 10,035 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 3,749 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 3,749–10,035 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21s sit.

⚠ Over 13,547 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

1.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.29

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2021 KTM 125 Duke 21 stacks up against a rival.

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