Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA YP250R
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 YP250R's first-time pass rate has risen 5.7 points since 2013, 81.4% to 87.1%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage YP250R passes first time 86.7% of the time; by 20k that's 77.9%.
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 YP250R
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
61 | 37.9 | 1.5× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
33 | 20.5 | 0.9× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
24 | 14.9 | 1.8× |
| steering and suspension |
|
17 | 10.6 | 0.6× |
| tyres |
|
9 | 5.6 | 1.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
6 | 3.7 | 0.4× |
| suspension |
|
5 | 3.1 | 1.1× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
3 | 1.9 | 0.9× |
| driving controls |
|
2 | 1.2 | 1.4× |
| steering |
|
1 | 0.6 | 0.4× |
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 YP250R 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 YP250R.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2006 (83.6%). Lowest: 2011 (74.7%). Every YP250R 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 YP250R FAQ
Is the YAMAHA YP250R reliable?
The YAMAHA YP250R is less reliable than average for its class: 79.5% of its 590 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3687 of 5428 models.
What does a YP250R fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 38% of all defects recorded against failed YP250R tests.
What is the best year of YP250R to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (83.6%) and 2011 worst (74.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a YP250R last?
The median YP250R shows 12,683 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 77.9% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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