MZ ETZ251

243cc Petrol Class 2

#2306 of 5426 overall #9 of 20 MZs #1441 of 2787 other bikes

85.7%

first-time pass rate

7.0%

failed outright

26,720

median miles at test

1,621

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The ETZ251's first-time pass rate has risen 4.6 points since 2005, 87.7% to 92.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ETZ251's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ETZ251 passes first time 86.6% of the time; by 50k that's 86.8%.

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 ETZ251

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	70	31.5	0.7×
brakes	62	27.9	0.7×
steering and suspension	37	16.7	0.6×
tyres and wheels	22	9.9	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	14	6.3	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	7	3.2	0.5×
driving controls	3	1.4	0.8×
tyres	3	1.4	0.3×
body and structure	2	0.9	0.3×
reg plates and vin	2	0.9	0.2×

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 ETZ251 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 ETZ251.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1995 (90.5% pass). Weakest: 1996 (80.5%).

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.

MZ ETZ251 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MZ ETZ251 reliable?

The MZ ETZ251 is about average for its class: 85.7% of its 1,621 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2306 of 5426 models.

What does a ETZ251 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed ETZ251 tests.

What is the best year of ETZ251 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1995-registered examples do best (90.5%) and 1996 worst (80.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ETZ251 last?

The median ETZ251 shows 26,720 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 86.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.