Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 KTM 250?

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 250?

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 250?

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 250 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 148 vehicles, the 2016 KTM 250 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 88.1%, 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 250?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 KTM 250 are: Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (28.2% of vehicles), Rear reflector missing (25.5% of vehicles), Horn not working (17.4% 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 250?

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 250 (2016)

148 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.1% first-time pass rate

2016 KTM 250

CarHunch analysed 148 real MOT records for the 2016 KTM 250. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2016 KTM 250 passes its MOT first time in 88% of cases, well above the UK average of 80%, suggesting these bikes are generally well-maintained by their owners. Only 7.4% have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is reassuringly low and indicates no systemic safety issues with this model.

At just 2,385 miles on average, these machines are lightly used, so you're typically buying a bike that's been cherished rather than thrashed. The 0.63 average failures per vehicle is healthy, though the 2.5 advisories suggests minor wear items (consumables, corrosion) crop up—budget for routine maintenance when you buy and check the service history carefully.

We have limited data for the 2016 KTM 250 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

88.1%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

7.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.63

Over 4 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

Middle half: 1k–3k

For context

These stats describe 148 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 148 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Suspension & steering 28.2%

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play · Front Wheel bearing has slight play · Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play · …

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

Lighting 25.5%

Rear reflector missing · Drive chain slightly loose · Front Wheel has a slightly distorted bead rim

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

Other issues 17.4%

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

Brake wear 11.1%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit

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

Exhaust & emissions 5.7%

Exhaust noisy

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 148 KTM 250 cars.

Before you buy a 2016 KTM 250

Based on MOT data from 148 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 7.4% 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%)	146	88.2%	0.62

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 KTM 250 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.

2,179

typical

1,164

low mileage

3,461

high mileage

Half of all 2016 KTM 250 vehicles fall between 1,164 and 3,461 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 1,164 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.

✓ 1,164–3,461 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 KTM 250s sit.

⚠ Over 4,672 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 250 — Still on the Road

Most 2016 KTM 250s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 66 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 81% 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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.63

Avg failures per vehicle

2.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — KTM 250: All 250 years → Which year to buy? →

2013 2014 2015

Or browse all models: KTM →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 KTM 250 stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?