Model report · 2005–2025
YAMAHA RD250E
247cc
Petrol
Class 2
84.0%
first-time pass rate
8.5%
failed outright
21,828
median miles at test
106
MOT tests, 2005–2025
What fails on a RD250E
failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
6 | 22.2 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
6 | 22.2 |
| steering and suspension |
|
5 | 18.5 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
4 | 14.8 |
| drive system |
|
3 | 11.1 |
| driving controls |
|
2 | 7.4 |
| body and structure |
|
1 | 3.7 |
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 RD250E beats 3 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 RD250E.
Pass rate by registration year
how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date
Best year to buy used: 1979 (91.5% pass). Weakest: 1979 (91.5%).
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.