HONDA CB250 N

248cc Petrol Class 2

#4160 of 5426 overall #793 of 921 HONDAs #190 of 205 naked bikes

76.2%

first-time pass rate

14.3%

failed outright

27,731

median miles at test

9,530

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The CB250 N's first-time pass rate has risen 13.8 points since 2005, 72.7% to 86.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the CB250 N's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage CB250 N passes first time 79.9% of the time; by 50k that's 73.9%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a CB250 N

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	979	27.8	1.5×
steering and suspension	919	26.1	2.3×
brakes	562	16	1.1×
drive system	306	8.7	3.2×
tyres and wheels	301	8.5	1.4×
body and structure	131	3.7	2.3×
fuel and exhaust	122	3.5	1.5×
lamps and reflectors	84	2.4	0.3×
driving controls	70	2	3.1×
reg plates and vin	49	1.4	0.8×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the CB250 N beats 0 of its 1 closest rivals (HONDA CB250).

HONDA CB250 79.9% pass · 17.3k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the CB250 N.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1983 (80.4% pass). Weakest: 1979 (74.8%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

HONDA CB250 N FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA CB250 N reliable?

The HONDA CB250 N is less reliable than average for its class: 76.2% of its 9,530 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4160 of 5426 models.

What does a CB250 N fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed CB250 N tests.

What is the best year of CB250 N to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1983-registered examples do best (80.4%) and 1979 worst (74.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a CB250 N last?

The median CB250 N shows 27,731 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 73.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.