KAWASAKI KLR250

249cc Petrol Class 2

#4077 of 5426 overall #490 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2569 of 2787 other bikes

76.9%

first-time pass rate

13.6%

failed outright

16,160

median miles at test

1,210

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The KLR250's first-time pass rate has risen 10.8 points since 2006, 76.4% to 87.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KLR250's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KLR250 passes first time 80.3% of the time; by 30k that's 80.5%.

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 KLR250

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	162	37	1.7×
brakes	65	14.8	0.9×
tyres and wheels	59	13.5	1.8×
steering and suspension	53	12.1	1.2×
drive system	31	7.1	2.5×
lamps and reflectors	29	6.6	1.0×
reg plates and vin	11	2.5	1.4×
driving controls	10	2.3	3.5×
structure and attachments	9	2.1	1.0×
body and structure	9	2.1	1.0×

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 KLR250 beats 0 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 KLR250.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1997 (82.9% pass). Weakest: 1998 (67.9%).

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 KLR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLR250 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLR250 is less reliable than average for its class: 76.9% of its 1,210 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4077 of 5426 models.

What does a KLR250 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 37% of all defects recorded against failed KLR250 tests.

What is the best year of KLR250 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (82.9%) and 1998 worst (67.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KLR250 last?

The median KLR250 shows 16,160 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 80.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.