Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 KTM 690?

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 690?

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 690?

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 690 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 419 vehicles, the 2016 KTM 690 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 88.6%, 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 690?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 KTM 690 are: Exhaust noisy (31.4% of vehicles), Rear reflector missing (26.6% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (25.4% 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 690?

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 690 (2016)

419 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.6% first-time pass rate

2016 KTM 690

CarHunch analysed 419 real MOT records for the 2016 KTM 690. 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 419 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2016 KTM 690 passes its MOT first time in 88.6% of cases, comfortably ahead of the UK average of 80%, which suggests these bikes are generally well-maintained by their owners. The dangerous defect rate sits at 12.4%, which is manageable and not a red flag for buyers.

These bikes average just under 8,000 miles across the cohort, which is notably low for an eight-year-old model and points to careful usage or part-time riding. With only 0.74 failures per vehicle and 2.0 advisories on average, owners should expect minor maintenance issues rather than serious problems—budget for routine servicing and check brake and suspension components during purchase inspections.

The 2016 KTM 690 passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (88.6% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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

88.6%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

12.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.74

Over 5.7 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

Middle half: 4k–10k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 88.6% 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 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 419 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 419 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 31.4%

Exhaust noisy · Rear Exhaust noisy

Lighting 26.6%

Rear reflector missing · Headlamp aim too high · Rear Rear reflector missing · …

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

Tyre wear 25.4%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit

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

Other issues 21.8%

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

Brake wear 18.3%

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

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

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 419 KTM 690 cars.

Before you buy a 2016 KTM 690

Based on MOT data from 419 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 12.4% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,265 KTM 690 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Orange 47.9%

606

White 35.4%

448

Black 16.1%

204

Multi-colour 0.6%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 KTM 690 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.

6,385

typical

3,931

low mileage

10,403

high mileage

Half of all 2016 KTM 690 vehicles fall between 3,931 and 10,403 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 3,931 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.

✓ 3,931–10,403 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 KTM 690s sit.

⚠ Over 14,044 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 690 — Still on the Road

Most 2016 KTM 690s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 265 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 87% 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

5.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.74

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — KTM 690: All 690 years → Which year to buy? →

2014 2015

Or browse all models: KTM →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 KTM 690 stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?