BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ MZ/SAXON TOUR
Model report · 2005–2025

MZ SAXON TOUR

251cc Petrol Class 2
89.0%
first-time pass rate
5.5%
failed outright
30,275
median miles at test
109
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+7.6pp
vs expected · age & mileage

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.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

What fails on a SAXON TOUR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
brakes
4 28.6
steering and suspension
4 28.6
lighting and signalling
2 14.3
tyres and wheels
2 14.3
body and structure
1 7.1
lamps and reflectors
1 7.1

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 SAXON TOUR 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 SAXON TOUR.

Compare with any bike

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

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: 1994 (80.4% pass). Weakest: 1994 (80.4%).

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.

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