Honda CB Two Fifty vs Yamaha YP250

The Yamaha YP250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB Two Fifty: 82.5% vs 77.8%, a 4.7-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 YP250
First-time pass rate	77.8%	82.5%
Outright fail rate	13.3%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-5.3 pts	-2.3 pts
Engine size	233cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#3940 of 5428	#3073 of 5428
Median miles at test	23,591	15,613
MOT tests analysed	5,844	12,433
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	Honda CB Two Fifty	Yamaha YP250
Steering & suspension	5.4%	5.0%
Brakes	4.7%	5.3%
Lights & signalling	6.1%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	2.8%	3.8%
Drive system	2.5%	0.0%
Fuel & exhaust	1.1%	0.8%
Structure & body	1.1%	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	Honda CB Two Fifty	Yamaha YP250
2013	77.4%	83.1%
2014	80.6%	81.4%
2015	83.6%	84.2%
2016	81.0%	79.8%
2017	80.6%	81.6%
2018	82.2%	82.9%
2019	78.5%	84.2%
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 YP250
0k-10k miles	84.9%	88.6%
10k-20k miles	80.2%	82.5%
20k-30k miles	76.1%	78.6%
30k-40k miles	76.3%	77.0%
40k-50k miles	71.9%	71.9%
50k-60k miles	74.5%	84.7%

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

Honda CB Two Fifty vs Yamaha YP250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CB Two Fifty or the Yamaha YP250?

The Yamaha YP250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB Two Fifty: 82.5% vs 77.8%, a 4.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YP250 still comes out ahead: -5.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CB Two Fifty, -2.3 for the Yamaha YP250. 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 YP250 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 5.3% of Yamaha YP250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CB Two Fifty or the Yamaha YP250?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha YP250 passes first time more often: 74.5% for the Honda CB Two Fifty vs 84.7% for the Yamaha YP250.

HONDA CB TWO FIFTY 77.8% pass · 5,844 tests YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests

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