2012 KTM Super Duke 990 1.0L Petrol · LJ12 FFL

A recurring exhaust noise advisory is the single defining feature of this 2012 KTM Super Duke 990's otherwise unblemished test record. Across eight recorded MOTs the machine has passed every time, with no failures and no other defects of any kind noted, yet the tester flagged "exhaust noisy" under item 8.1.1(a) in both March 2024 and again in February 2026, with a clean test in February 2025 sitting between them. That pattern suggests an intermittent or borderline noise issue rather than a steadily deteriorating one, but its reappearance in the most recent test on 21 February 2026 means a prospective buyer should treat the exhaust system as the primary point of scrutiny. On a big V-twin like the 990, an aftermarket silencer, a blowing joint gasket, or a deteriorating baffle are the usual culprits, and while an advisory is not a failure, a genuinely loud exhaust can attract a roadside prohibition and will need rectifying if it worsens. The recorded mileage of 5,229 miles over roughly fourteen years equates to only about 374 miles per year, which is exceptionally low for a machine of this type. The test history also shows gaps consistent with that light use: there is no test recorded between May 2019 and November 2020, and again between December 2021 and March 2023, indicating periods when the bike may have been off the road or simply untested. Very low annual mileage on a performance twin means the engine internals have seen little wear, but it also means seals, fork stanchions, brake components, and rubber items have aged by time rather than use, and long stationary spells can leave brake pistons sticky, fork seals prone to weeping, and fuel-system components varnished. None of these have been flagged in the test record, but they are the realistic risks of this usage profile rather than anything the MOT history has captured. On inspection, start with the exhaust. Check whether the silencers are original KTM items or aftermarket cans, look for soot staining around the header-to-silencer joints indicating a blowing seal, and listen at idle and under load for a harsh, raspy note or popping that suggests a failed baffle or leaking joint. Given the low mileage and likely standing periods, work the front and rear brakes firmly from speed to feel for judder, pulsing, or a spongy lever, and inspect the discs for corrosion pitting. Push down on the front forks and check for oil misting on the stanchions, and examine the chain and sprockets for rust or tight spots consistent with infrequent use. Overall this is a machine with a clean pass record and no structural, brake, or suspension defects ever recorded, which is reassuring as far as MOT evidence goes. However, the record cannot confirm how the bike has been stored or serviced between tests, and the combination of very low mileage, testing gaps, and a twice-flagged noisy exhaust means the buyer should verify the exhaust's condition and legality, confirm the bike starts readily from cold, and check consumables such as tyres and brake pads for age-related deterioration before committing.