KAWASAKI Z250

248cc Petrol Class 2

#3420 of 5426 overall #405 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2183 of 2787 other bikes

80.8%

first-time pass rate

9.3%

failed outright

19,280

median miles at test

1,498

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2021

The Z250's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2005 (80.0% → 79.5%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z250's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z250 passes first time 85.4% of the time; by 40k that's 79.7%.

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 Z250

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	86	23.9	0.9×
brakes	82	22.8	0.9×
steering and suspension	65	18.1	0.9×
tyres and wheels	34	9.4	1.1×
drive system	24	6.7	1.8×
body and structure	19	5.3	2.1×
fuel and exhaust	16	4.4	1.2×
lamps and reflectors	15	4.2	0.3×
reg plates and vin	11	3.1	0.8×
driving controls	8	2.2	2.0×

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 Z250 beats 2 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 Z250.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1982 (84.5% pass). Weakest: 1981 (77.8%).

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 Z250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z250 reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z250 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.8% of its 1,498 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3420 of 5426 models.

What does a Z250 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 24% of all defects recorded against failed Z250 tests.

What is the best year of Z250 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1982-registered examples do best (84.5%) and 1981 worst (77.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z250 last?

The median Z250 shows 19,280 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 79.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.