BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
Model report · 2005–2025

KAWASAKI BX

249cc Petrol Class 2
89.3%
first-time pass rate
6.7%
failed outright
4,198
median miles at test
763
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2019–2025

The BX's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.4 points since 2019, 93.3% to 86.9%.

85%90%95%2019: 93.3% pass (60 tests)2020: 90.5% pass (105 tests)2021: 87.7% pass (146 tests)2022: 89.7% pass (136 tests)2023: 90.7% pass (129 tests)2024: 89.2% pass (74 tests)2025: 86.9% pass (99 tests)20192025

What fails on a BX

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
31 28.4 1.8×
brakes
23 21.1 0.5×
structure and attachments
17 15.6 2.7×
suspension
15 13.8 2.3×
tyres
11 10.1 2.1×
steering
6 5.5 1.9×
wheels
2 1.8 4.4×
Identification of the vehicle
2 1.8 1.1×
reg plates and vin
1 0.9 0.2×
lighting and signalling
1 0.9

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the BX beats 4 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 BX.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2018 (90.3% pass). Weakest: 2017 (85.9%).

85%88%91%2015: 90.0% pass (100 tests)2016: 89.0% pass (437 tests)2017: 85.9% pass (64 tests)2018: 90.3% pass (154 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 BX FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI BX reliable?

The KAWASAKI BX is more reliable than average for its class: 89.3% of its 763 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1180 of 5426 models.

What does a BX fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 28% of all defects recorded against failed BX tests.

What is the best year of BX to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2018-registered examples do best (90.3%) and 2017 worst (85.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.