Beta Alp vs Honda CBF250

The Honda CBF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Beta Alp: 84.9% vs 79.7%, a 5.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Beta Alp	Honda CBF250
First-time pass rate	79.7%	84.9%
Outright fail rate	7.3%	8.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.5 pts	-1.4 pts
Engine size	200cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#3649 of 5428	#2516 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,459	10,566
MOT tests analysed	646	7,536
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	brakes

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	Beta Alp	Honda CBF250
Lights & signalling	3.1%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	3.1%	2.8%
Brakes	2.2%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.1%	2.0%
Drive system	0.3%	1.6%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.1%

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	Beta Alp	Honda CBF250
2010	75.7%	82.3%
2011	71.1%	82.9%
2012	84.6%	83.9%
2013	80.5%	82.9%
2014	77.1%	84.0%
2015	79.5%	82.4%
2016	65.6%	87.6%
2017	83.9%	84.2%

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	Beta Alp	Honda CBF250
0k-10k miles	78.1%	88.5%
10k-20k miles	82.9%	82.6%

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

Beta Alp vs Honda CBF250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Beta Alp or the Honda CBF250?

The Honda CBF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Beta Alp: 84.9% vs 79.7%, a 5.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-1.5 vs -1.4 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Beta Alp fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.1% of Beta Alp MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.1%).

What does the Honda CBF250 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.8% of Honda CBF250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.8%).

BETA ALP 79.7% pass · 646 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 tests

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