MZ 250

243cc Petrol Class 2

#1478 of 5426 overall #2 of 20 MZs #898 of 2787 other bikes

88.4%

first-time pass rate

6.6%

failed outright

26,887

median miles at test

335

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the 250's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 250 passes first time 87.2% of the time; by 40k that's 93.2%.

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 250

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	9	25.7
lighting and signalling	8	22.9
steering and suspension	6	17.1
fuel and exhaust	4	11.4
tyres and wheels	4	11.4
tyres	2	5.7
driving controls	1	2.9
structure and attachments	1	2.9

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 250 beats 4 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 250.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1978 (91.4% pass). Weakest: 1978 (91.4%).

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.