Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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 2016 KTM 1290 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 577 vehicles, the 2016 KTM 1290 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 92.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 KTM 1290?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 KTM 1290 are: Exhaust noisy (52.8% of vehicles), Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (28.8% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (26.6% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2016 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 (2016)

577 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.6% first-time pass rate

2016 KTM 1290

CarHunch analysed 577 real MOT records for the 2016 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? →

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

The 2016 KTM 1290 is a genuinely reliable bike, with a 92.6% first-time MOT pass rate that substantially beats the UK average of 80%—and the 8.8% dangerous defect rate sits comfortably below the concerning threshold. Petrol models dominate the cohort and perform identically to the overall average, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.

These machines are running low mileage for their age (median 10,843 miles), which explains both the strong pass rate and the modest 0.51 average failures per vehicle. The 2.2 advisories per test suggest minor wear items are cropping up, but if you're buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on brake fluid condition and any signs of previous crash damage—that's where 1290s tend to show their history.

The 2016 KTM 1290 passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (92.6% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ 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

92.6%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

8.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.51

Over 5.8 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

11k

Middle half: 7k–16k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 92.6% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 2.2 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 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 577 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.

A solid choice — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 577 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 52.8%

Exhaust noisy

Brake wear 28.8%

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.

Tyre wear 26.6%

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.

Other issues 23.8%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Drive chain worn but not considered excessive · Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements

Lighting 17.4%

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

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 577 KTM 1290 cars.

Before you buy a 2016 KTM 1290

Based on MOT data from 577 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 8.8% 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 (100%)	576	92.6%	0.51

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 2016 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.

10,843

typical

6,979

low mileage

15,645

high mileage

Half of all 2016 KTM 1290 vehicles fall between 6,979 and 15,645 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 6,979 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.

✓ 6,979–15,645 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 KTM 1290s sit.

⚠ Over 21,120 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 KTM 1290 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 KTM 1290s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 417 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 91% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* 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

5.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.51

Avg failures per vehicle

2.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2014 2015

Or browse all models: KTM →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 KTM 1290 stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?