Aprilia Leonardo 250 vs Honda XR250

The Aprilia Leonardo 250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 80.9% vs 78.8%, a 2.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Aprilia Leonardo 250	Honda XR250
First-time pass rate	80.9%	78.8%
Outright fail rate	13.4%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-3.5 pts	-6.8 pts
Engine size	250cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#3398 of 5428	#3805 of 5428
Median miles at test	17,576	8,618
MOT tests analysed	942	9,277
Most common failure	steering and suspension	lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Aprilia Leonardo 250	Honda XR250
Lights & signalling	4.7%	7.1%
Steering & suspension	6.2%	4.8%
Brakes	4.6%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	4.2%	3.0%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	0.5%
Drive system	0%	0.8%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Aprilia Leonardo 250	Honda XR250
2010	74.3%	74.8%
2011	77.5%	74.6%
2012	78.1%	77.6%
2013	88.2%	75.4%
2014	76.0%	77.8%
2015	71.1%	80.5%
2016	94.7%	78.9%
2017	78.9%	78.2%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Aprilia Leonardo 250	Honda XR250
0k-10k miles	87.7%	79.5%
10k-20k miles	79.7%	78.9%
20k-30k miles	78.4%	78.3%
30k-40k miles	78.4%	77.7%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Aprilia Leonardo 250 vs Honda XR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia Leonardo 250 or the Honda XR250?

The Aprilia Leonardo 250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 80.9% vs 78.8%, a 2.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Aprilia Leonardo 250 still comes out ahead: -3.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia Leonardo 250, -6.8 for the Honda XR250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia Leonardo 250 fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 6.2% of Aprilia Leonardo 250 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (4.7%).

What does the Honda XR250 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.1% of Honda XR250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Aprilia Leonardo 250 or the Honda XR250?

They are level: at 30k-40k miles the Aprilia Leonardo 250 passes 78.4% first time and the Honda XR250 77.7%.

APRILIA LEONARDO 250 80.9% pass · 942 tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.