KAWASAKI KL250

249cc Petrol Class 2

#3805 of 5426 overall #451 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2415 of 2787 other bikes

78.8%

first-time pass rate

11.0%

failed outright

16,176

median miles at test

2,147

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The KL250's first-time pass rate has risen 14.5 points since 2005, 70.0% to 84.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KL250's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KL250 passes first time 82.2% of the time; by 40k that's 70.8%.

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 KL250

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	216	35.7	1.4×
brakes	103	17	0.9×
steering and suspension	79	13.1	0.9×
tyres and wheels	52	8.6	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	42	6.9	0.8×
drive system	39	6.4	1.5×
reg plates and vin	24	4	1.8×
body and structure	20	3.3	1.6×
fuel and exhaust	15	2.5	0.8×
structure and attachments	15	2.5	0.7×

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 KL250 beats 1 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 KL250.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1984 (90.2% pass). Weakest: 1990 (65.7%).

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 KL250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KL250 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KL250 is less reliable than average for its class: 78.8% of its 2,147 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3805 of 5426 models.

What does a KL250 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed KL250 tests.

What is the best year of KL250 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1984-registered examples do best (90.2%) and 1990 worst (65.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KL250 last?

The median KL250 shows 16,176 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 70.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.