Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA XL250S
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 XL250S's first-time pass rate has risen 20.3 points since 2006, 64.7% to 85.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XL250S passes first time 74.1% of the time; by 30k that's 81.8%.
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 XL250S
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
114 | 62 | 2.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
12 | 6.5 | 1.0× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
12 | 6.5 | 0.8× |
| steering and suspension |
|
11 | 6 | 0.6× |
| drive system |
|
7 | 3.8 | 1.4× |
| brakes |
|
7 | 3.8 | 0.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
7 | 3.8 | 2.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
6 | 3.3 | 1.6× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
5 | 2.7 | 5.4× |
| Items Not Tested |
|
3 | 1.6 | 6.5× |
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 XL250S beats 0 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 XL250S.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1981 (86.2%). Lowest: 1980 (71.3%). Every XL250S 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 XL250S FAQ
Is the HONDA XL250S reliable?
The HONDA XL250S is less reliable than average for its class: 77.6% of its 504 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3965 of 5428 models.
What does a XL250S fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 62% of all defects recorded against failed XL250S tests.
What is the best year of XL250S to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1981-registered examples do best (86.2%) and 1980 worst (71.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XL250S last?
The median XL250S shows 13,783 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 81.8% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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