Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA XVS250
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.
Pass rate over time
The XVS250's first-time pass rate has risen 4.5 points since 2006, 83.3% to 87.8%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XVS250 passes first time 89.1% of the time; by 30k that's 69.0%.
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 XVS250
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
109 | 22.4 | 0.7× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
98 | 20.1 | 0.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
76 | 15.6 | 1.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
73 | 15 | 0.7× |
| drive system |
|
36 | 7.4 | 1.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
33 | 6.8 | 1.4× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
25 | 5.1 | 0.4× |
| structure and attachments |
|
18 | 3.7 | 0.6× |
| suspension |
|
11 | 2.3 | 0.4× |
| driving controls |
|
8 | 1.6 | 1.2× |
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 XVS250 beats 4 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 XVS250.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2003 (88.9%). Lowest: 1997 (78.9%). Every XVS250 year compared →
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 XVS250 FAQ
Is the YAMAHA XVS250 reliable?
The YAMAHA XVS250 is about average for its class: 85.1% of its 2,945 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2469 of 5428 models.
What does a XVS250 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 22% of all defects recorded against failed XVS250 tests.
What is the best year of XVS250 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (88.9%) and 1997 worst (78.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XVS250 last?
The median XVS250 shows 8,673 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 69.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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