BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KAWASAKI/BR
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KAWASAKI BR

249cc Petrol Class 2
#1478 of 5428 overall #182 of 592 KAWASAKIs #899 of 2788 other bikes
88.4%
first-time pass rate
8.1%
failed outright
5,479
median miles at test
912
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+0.2pp
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 · 2019–2025

The BR's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.1 points since 2019, 87.5% to 82.4%.

80%88%96%2019: 87.5% pass (88 tests)2020: 91.9% pass (111 tests)2021: 88.6% pass (167 tests)2022: 93.6% pass (157 tests)2023: 84.5% pass (155 tests)2024: 89.5% pass (105 tests)2025: 82.4% pass (108 tests)20192025

What fails on a BR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
31 23.3 1.3×
brakes
30 22.6 0.6×
structure and attachments
27 20.3 3.4×
suspension
23 17.3 3.3×
tyres
14 10.5 2.2×
steering
4 3 0.8×
wheels
2 1.5 3.7×
audible warning (Horn)
1 0.8 0.6×
Identification of the vehicle
1 0.8 0.5×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

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

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 tests Compare head-to-head →

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 BR.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the BR

More KAWASAKI models

other KAWASAKI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests
KAWASAKI ZX-9R 80.7% pass · 89.0k tests
KAWASAKI ZZR600 79.0% pass · 53.7k tests
KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests
KAWASAKI ZZ-R1100 80.8% pass · 39.7k tests
KAWASAKI ZX 89.4% pass · 34.6k tests

See all KAWASAKI models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 2017 (95.5%). Lowest: 2015 (83.9%). Every BR year compared →

82%90%98%2015: 83.9% pass (137 tests)2016: 88.0% pass (517 tests)2017: 95.5% pass (66 tests)2018: 90.1% pass (192 tests)201520172018

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.

KAWASAKI BR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI BR reliable?

The KAWASAKI BR is more reliable than average for its class: 88.4% of its 912 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1478 of 5428 models.

What does a BR fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors: 23% of all defects recorded against failed BR tests.

What is the best year of BR to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (95.5%) and 2015 worst (83.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

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