Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2014 KTM 1290?

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 2014 KTM 1290?

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 2014 KTM 1290?

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 2014 KTM 1290 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 208 vehicles, the 2014 KTM 1290 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 90%, 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 2014 KTM 1290?

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 1290 (2014)

Q: What are common problems with the 2014 KTM 1290?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2014 KTM 1290 are: Exhaust noisy (90.8% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (36.9% of vehicles), Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (33.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

208 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90% first-time pass rate

2014 KTM 1290

CarHunch analysed 208 real MOT records for the 2014 KTM 1290. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2014 KTM 1290 passes its MOT first time 90% of the time, a solid 10 percentage points above the UK average, suggesting well-maintained examples are the norm. Only 9.1% of vehicles have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is comfortably low and not a buyer concern.

These bikes clock up modest mileage for their age—averaging just over 13,000 miles—which helps explain the strong pass rate and suggests many owners treat them as weekend rather than commuter machines. With fewer than one failure per vehicle on average but 3.5 advisories each, you're looking at minor maintenance and wear items rather than structural problems; have any prospective purchase independently inspected for brake and suspension condition, as those advisories are typical on sports bikes at this age.

We have limited data for the 2014 KTM 1290 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ About 1 in 12 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

90%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

9.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.8

Over 7.4 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

12k

Middle half: 8k–17k

For context

These stats describe 208 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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What tends to go wrong

Across 208 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 90.8%

Exhaust noisy · Rear Exhaust noisy

Tyre wear 36.9%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 33.3%

Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Lighting 20.3%

Rear reflector missing · Rear reflector on motorcycle missing · Drive chain slightly loose

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Suspension & steering 17.8%

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Other issues 6.7%

Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements · Drive chain worn but not considered excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2014.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 208 KTM 1290 cars.

Before you buy a 2014 KTM 1290

Based on MOT data from 208 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 9.1% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,204 KTM 1290 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Orange 45.1%

543

White 30.9%

372

Black 23.6%

284

Grey 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2014 KTM 1290 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.

11,940

typical

7,758

low mileage

16,638

high mileage

Half of all 2014 KTM 1290 vehicles fall between 7,758 and 16,638 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 7,758 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.

✓ 7,758–16,638 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2014 KTM 1290s sit.

⚠ Over 22,461 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2014 KTM 1290 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 69% of 2014 KTM 1290s are still active.

127 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 69% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

7.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.8

Avg failures per vehicle

3.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — KTM 1290: All 1290 years → Which year to buy? →

2015 2016

Or browse all models: KTM →

Compare with another model

See how the 2014 KTM 1290 stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?