2015 KTM 350 0.3L Petrol · CN65 YXT

The 2015 KTM 350 currently holds a valid MOT, having passed cleanly on 9 March 2026 at 1,519 miles with zero defects recorded. That clean result is a positive sign, but the preceding failure on 23 February 2026 at 1,513 miles tells a more nuanced story. The tester flagged excessive play in the front wheel bearing and slight play in the rear, along with a non-conforming rear registration plate. The six-mile gap between that failure and the subsequent pass strongly suggests the wheel bearings were replaced or adjusted immediately before the retest. The maintenance trend is therefore improving in the very short term, though the underlying pattern across multiple years reveals a recurring issue with wheel bearing wear that prospective buyers should not overlook. The mileage profile is exceptionally low. At roughly 1,519 miles over approximately eleven years, the annual average sits at just 138 miles. The record shows incremental accumulation: 1,312 miles in February 2024, 1,381 miles in February 2025, and 1,519 miles by March 2026, indicating the machine has seen slightly more frequent use in the past two years after a period of very light running. Long periods of inactivity can be just as damaging as high mileage for a motorcycle of this type. Seals dry out, bearings corrode from standing, tyres age and perish, and brake components can seize or develop uneven deposits from lack of use. The repeated appearance of wheel bearing play across the 2023, 2024, and early 2026 tests is the most significant mechanical pattern in this record. Front and rear wheel bearings were flagged as having slight play in March 2023 and again in February 2024, then escalated to excessive front play by February 2026. This suggests either a quality issue with replacement components, inadequate installation, or the corrosive effects of prolonged standing on bearing surfaces. A buyer should physically check both wheels for lateral play, roughness, and noise by spinning each wheel and rocking it at the top and bottom. The headstock bearings and swingarm pivot should also receive close attention, as these are common failure points on off-road machines that sit idle. Beyond the bearings, the non-conforming rear registration plate flagged in February 2026 is a minor administrative defect, but it hints at possible neglect of basic compliance details. Given the low mileage and the machine's age, a thorough inspection of the tyre date codes, brake caliper operation, fork seal condition, and coolant system integrity is advisable. Components degrade with time as well as use, and a motorcycle that has covered fewer than 1,600 miles in over a decade demands scrutiny of every rubber seal, fluid, and fastener before any purchase decision.