Honda CB Two Fifty vs Yamaha WR250F

The Yamaha WR250F passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB Two Fifty: 78.0% vs 77.8%, a 0.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda CB Two Fifty	Yamaha WR250F
First-time pass rate	77.8%	78.0%
Outright fail rate	13.3%	12.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-5.3 pts	-10.7 pts
Engine size	233cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#3940 of 5428	#3913 of 5428
Median miles at test	23,591	3,018
MOT tests analysed	5,844	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.

"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	Honda CB Two Fifty	Yamaha WR250F
Lights & signalling	6.1%	8.2%
Steering & suspension	5.4%	5.1%
Brakes	4.7%	2.2%
Tyres & wheels	2.8%	3.0%
Drive system	2.5%	0.7%
Structure & body	1.1%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	1.1%	0.4%

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	Honda CB Two Fifty	Yamaha WR250F
2013	77.4%	75.7%
2014	80.6%	77.9%
2015	83.6%	77.3%
2016	81.0%	78.9%
2017	80.6%	80.3%
2018	82.2%	79.2%
2019	78.5%	77.2%
2020	82.7%	82.5%

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	Honda CB Two Fifty	Yamaha WR250F
0k-10k miles	84.9%	78.1%
10k-20k miles	80.2%	77.3%
20k-30k miles	76.1%	67.9%

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

Honda CB Two Fifty vs Yamaha WR250F FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CB Two Fifty or the Yamaha WR250F?

The Yamaha WR250F passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB Two Fifty: 78.0% vs 77.8%, a 0.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CB Two Fifty still comes out ahead: -5.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CB Two Fifty, -10.7 for the Yamaha WR250F. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CB Two Fifty fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.1% of Honda CB Two Fifty MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.4%).

What does the Yamaha WR250F fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.2% of Yamaha WR250F MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.1%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CB Two Fifty or the Yamaha WR250F?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CB Two Fifty passes first time more often: 76.1% for the Honda CB Two Fifty vs 67.9% for the Yamaha WR250F.

HONDA CB TWO FIFTY 77.8% pass · 5,844 tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests

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