BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Francis Barnett Falcon vs Yamaha WR250F

The Francis Barnett Falcon passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha WR250F: 89.6% vs 78.0%, a 11.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Francis Barnett Falcon Yamaha WR250F
First-time pass rate 89.6% 78.0%
Outright fail rate 3.9% 12.8%
Engine size 197cc 249cc
Rank among all models #1077 of 5428 #3913 of 5428
Median miles at test 19,576 3,018
MOT tests analysed 441 10,465
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.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Francis Barnett Falcon Yamaha WR250F
2006 91.8% 76.7%
2007 81.8% 73.3%
2008 90.7% 78.2%
2009 85.4% 73.9%
2010 87.5% 75.3%
2011 90.6% 76.7%
2012 95.1% 76.5%

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 Francis Barnett Falcon Yamaha WR250F
0k-10k miles 90.9% 78.1%
10k-20k miles 85.5% 77.3%
20k-30k miles 92.2% 67.9%

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

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