YAMAHA WR250
Pass rate over time
The WR250's first-time pass rate has risen 1.3 points since 2006, 80.0% to 81.3%.
What fails on a WR250
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
123 | 36.1 | 1.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
46 | 13.5 | 1.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
44 | 12.9 | 1.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
30 | 8.8 | 1.0× |
| brakes |
|
30 | 8.8 | 0.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
28 | 8.2 | 3.5× |
| drive system |
|
15 | 4.4 | 1.2× |
| suspension |
|
12 | 3.5 | 1.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
7 | 2.1 | 0.6× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
6 | 1.8 | 3.2× |
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
On first-time pass rate the WR250 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).
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 WR250.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2008 (85.8% pass). Weakest: 2002 (65.9%).
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.
YAMAHA WR250 FAQ
Is the YAMAHA WR250 reliable?
The YAMAHA WR250 is less reliable than average for its class: 79.7% of its 1,036 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3647 of 5426 models.
What does a WR250 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed WR250 tests.
What is the best year of WR250 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (85.8%) and 2002 worst (65.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.