Beta Alp vs Honda XR250

The Beta Alp passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 79.7% vs 78.8%, a 0.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Beta Alp	Honda XR250
First-time pass rate	79.7%	78.8%
Outright fail rate	7.3%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.5 pts	-6.8 pts
Engine size	200cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#3649 of 5428	#3805 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,459	8,618
MOT tests analysed	646	9,277
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	Beta Alp	Honda XR250
Lights & signalling	3.1%	7.1%
Steering & suspension	3.1%	4.8%
Brakes	2.2%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	1.1%	3.0%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.8%
Drive system	0.3%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.5%

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 XR250
2010	75.7%	74.8%
2011	71.1%	74.6%
2012	84.6%	77.6%
2013	80.5%	75.4%
2014	77.1%	77.8%
2015	79.5%	80.5%
2016	65.6%	78.9%
2017	83.9%	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	Beta Alp	Honda XR250
0k-10k miles	78.1%	79.5%
10k-20k miles	82.9%	78.9%

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

Beta Alp vs Honda XR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Beta Alp or the Honda XR250?

The Beta Alp passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 79.7% vs 78.8%, a 0.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Beta Alp still comes out ahead: -1.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Beta Alp, -6.8 for the Honda XR250. 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 XR250 fail its MOT on most?

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

BETA ALP 79.7% pass · 646 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.