BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ MONTESA/COTA
Model report · 2005–2025

MONTESA COTA

249cc Petrol Class 2
#2572 of 5428 overall #3 of 3 MONTESAs #1618 of 2788 other bikes
84.7%
first-time pass rate
9.1%
failed outright
637
median miles at test
242
MOT tests, 2005–2025

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

What fails on a COTA

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
lighting and signalling
15 25.9
tyres and wheels
13 22.4
steering and suspension
11 19
brakes
10 17.2
tyres
3 5.2
Identification of the vehicle
2 3.4
lamps and reflectors
1 1.7
audible warning (Horn)
1 1.7
drive system
1 1.7
structure and attachments
1 1.7

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the COTA beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 tests Compare head-to-head →

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 COTA.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the Cota

More MONTESA models

other MONTESA bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
MONTESA COTA 4RT 90.2% pass · 732 tests
MONTESA 4RIDE 88.7% pass · 300 tests

See all MONTESA models →

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