KAWASAKI KLX250

249cc Petrol Class 2

#3733 of 5426 overall #447 of 592 KAWASAKIs #23 of 29 off-road bikes

79.2%

first-time pass rate

12.0%

failed outright

8,918

median miles at test

2,796

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The KLX250's first-time pass rate has risen 20.2 points since 2005, 61.4% to 81.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KLX250's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KLX250 passes first time 82.4% of the time; by 40k that's 83.3%.

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 KLX250

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	274	30.3	1.3×
brakes	177	19.6	1.1×
steering and suspension	160	17.7	1.4×
tyres and wheels	105	11.6	1.4×
reg plates and vin	51	5.6	2.4×
lamps and reflectors	46	5.1	0.7×
drive system	43	4.8	1.5×
suspension	22	2.4	0.8×
tyres	14	1.5	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	13	1.4	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 KLX250 beats 0 of its 1 closest rivals (HONDA CRF250).

HONDA CRF250 87.9% pass · 31.4k 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 KLX250.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (86.3% pass). Weakest: 1998 (68.0%).

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 KLX250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLX250 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLX250 is less reliable than average for its class: 79.2% of its 2,796 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3733 of 5426 models.

What does a KLX250 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed KLX250 tests.

What is the best year of KLX250 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (86.3%) and 1998 worst (68.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KLX250 last?

The median KLX250 shows 8,918 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 83.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.