HONDA XL250R

249cc Petrol Class 2

79.5%

first-time pass rate

12.0%

failed outright

18,286

median miles at test

166

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the XL250R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XL250R passes first time 78.8% of the time; by 20k that's 80.4%.

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 XL250R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	18	31
steering and suspension	16	27.6
brakes	9	15.5
drive system	4	6.9
tyres and wheels	3	5.2
lamps and reflectors	3	5.2
reg plates and vin	2	3.4
driving controls	1	1.7
body and structure	1	1.7
structure and attachments	1	1.7

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the XL250R beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 XL250R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1982 (76.4% pass). Weakest: 1982 (76.4%).

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.