SUZUKI DR250

249cc Petrol Class 2

#3831 of 5426 overall #531 of 680 SUZUKIs #2428 of 2787 other bikes

78.6%

first-time pass rate

12.8%

failed outright

18,902

median miles at test

1,809

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The DR250's first-time pass rate has risen 9.7 points since 2005, 68.9% to 78.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the DR250's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage DR250 passes first time 80.3% of the time; by 50k that's 74.4%.

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 DR250

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	195	31	1.5×
steering and suspension	133	21.1	1.6×
brakes	85	13.5	0.8×
tyres and wheels	56	8.9	1.2×
drive system	48	7.6	3.1×
reg plates and vin	36	5.7	3.0×
lamps and reflectors	28	4.5	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	18	2.9	1.2×
suspension	17	2.7	1.1×
body and structure	13	2.1	1.3×

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 DR250 beats 1 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 DR250.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (94.3% pass). Weakest: 1990 (70.7%).

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.

SUZUKI DR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI DR250 reliable?

The SUZUKI DR250 is less reliable than average for its class: 78.6% of its 1,809 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3831 of 5426 models.

What does a DR250 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed DR250 tests.

What is the best year of DR250 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (94.3%) and 1990 worst (70.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a DR250 last?

The median DR250 shows 18,902 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 74.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.