BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ MZ/ES250/2
Model report · 2005–2025

MZ ES250/2

249cc Petrol Class 2
89.4%
first-time pass rate
2.6%
failed outright
11,558
median miles at test
151
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 ES250/2

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
brakes
3 42.9
steering and suspension
2 28.6
lighting and signalling
1 14.3
reg plates and vin
1 14.3

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 ES250/2 beats 4 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 ES250/2.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the ES250/2

More MZ models

other MZ bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
MZ BAGHIRA 80.6% pass · 2,702 tests
MZ ETZ250 86.6% pass · 2,568 tests
MZ SKORPION 82.0% pass · 1,626 tests
MZ ETZ251 85.7% pass · 1,621 tests
MZ TS250 88.4% pass · 1,408 tests
MZ ETZ125 77.6% pass · 1,000 tests

See all MZ models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1971 (96.7% pass). Weakest: 1971 (96.7%).

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.

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