Ariel Golden Arrow vs Honda XR250

The Ariel Golden Arrow passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 93.7% vs 78.8%, a 14.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ariel Golden Arrow	Honda XR250
First-time pass rate	93.7%	78.8%
Outright fail rate	1.4%	12.3%
Engine size	250cc	249cc
Median miles at test	22,703	8,618
MOT tests analysed	142	9,277
Most common failure	brakes	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.

Pass rate by mileage

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

Mileage	Ariel Golden Arrow	Honda XR250
10k-20k miles	91.7%	78.9%
30k-40k miles	97.7%	77.7%

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

ARIEL GOLDEN ARROW 93.7% pass · 142 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.