KAWASAKI ZZR250

248cc Petrol Class 2

#4776 of 5426 overall #582 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2778 of 2787 other bikes

69.4%

first-time pass rate

23.3%

failed outright

23,389

median miles at test

571

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2012

The ZZR250's first-time pass rate has risen 10.9 points since 2006, 61.0% to 71.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZZR250's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZZR250 passes first time 72.7% of the time; by 30k that's 56.0%.

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 ZZR250

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
steering and suspension	129	36.6	4.8×
brakes	100	28.4	2.6×
lighting and signalling	42	11.9	1.5×
fuel and exhaust	23	6.5	4.2×
drive system	16	4.5	3.2×
tyres and wheels	15	4.3	1.2×
driving controls	9	2.6	6.7×
suspension	7	2	1.2×
body and structure	7	2	2.2×
reg plates and vin	4	1.1	1.2×

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 ZZR250 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 ZZR250.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1992 (70.6% pass). Weakest: 1991 (64.3%).

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 ZZR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZZR250 reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZZR250 is less reliable than average for its class: 69.4% of its 571 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4776 of 5426 models.

What does a ZZR250 fail its MOT on most?

steering and suspension — 37% of all defects recorded against failed ZZR250 tests.

What is the best year of ZZR250 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1992-registered examples do best (70.6%) and 1991 worst (64.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZZR250 last?

The median ZZR250 shows 23,389 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 56.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.