BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ JINLUN/JL 250-5
Model report · 2005–2025

JINLUN JL 250-5

234cc Petrol Class 2
#4675 of 5428 overall #1 of 4 JINLUNs #2768 of 2788 other bikes
70.8%
first-time pass rate
17.9%
failed outright
4,068
median miles at test
312
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-17.9pp
vs expected · age & mileage

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

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2014

The JL 250-5's first-time pass rate has fallen 16.8 points since 2011, 72.7% to 55.9%.

52%64%77%2011: 72.7% pass (44 tests)2012: 72.7% pass (44 tests)2013: 70.3% pass (37 tests)2014: 55.9% pass (34 tests)20112014

What fails on a JL 250-5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
steering and suspension
34 28.3
lighting and signalling
22 18.3
brakes
15 12.5
lamps and reflectors
12 10
drive system
11 9.2
tyres and wheels
10 8.3
body and structure
5 4.2
suspension
4 3.3
tyres
4 3.3
driving controls
3 2.5

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 JL 250-5 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 JL 250-5.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the JL 250-5

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (72.4% pass). Weakest: 2008 (66.7%).

66%70%74%2006: 70.0% pass (50 tests)2007: 72.4% pass (76 tests)2008: 66.7% pass (105 tests)200620072008

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.

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