Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA CD250U
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The CD250U's first-time pass rate has risen 9.2 points since 2005, 77.4% to 86.6%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CD250U passes first time 84.1% of the time; by 50k that's 75.2%.
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 CD250U
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
288 | 23.2 | 1.2× |
| brakes |
|
269 | 21.7 | 1.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
171 | 13.8 | 1.0× |
| drive system |
|
155 | 12.5 | 3.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
122 | 9.8 | 1.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
76 | 6.1 | 0.7× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
68 | 5.5 | 1.8× |
| body and structure |
|
32 | 2.6 | 1.4× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
30 | 2.4 | 0.9× |
| driving controls |
|
29 | 2.3 | 2.9× |
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
On first-time pass rate the CD250U beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).
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 CD250U.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1994 (85.3%). Lowest: 1989 (77.9%). Every CD250U year compared →
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 CD250U FAQ
Is the HONDA CD250U reliable?
The HONDA CD250U is less reliable than average for its class: 79.8% of its 4,265 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3628 of 5428 models.
What does a CD250U fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 23% of all defects recorded against failed CD250U tests.
What is the best year of CD250U to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1995-registered examples do best (85.3%) and 1989 worst (77.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CD250U last?
The median CD250U shows 28,264 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.2% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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