Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Honda CB250 vs Honda CB250 N
The Honda CB250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB250 N: 79.9% vs 76.2%, a 3.7-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Honda CB250 | Honda CB250 N |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 79.9% | 76.2% |
| Outright fail rate | 11.4% | 14.3% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -3.7 pts | -7.6 pts |
| Engine size | 248cc | 248cc |
| Rank among all models | #3603 of 5428 | #4162 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 25,338 | 27,731 |
| MOT tests analysed | 17,302 | 9,530 |
| 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
| Component | Honda CB250 | Honda CB250 N |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 5.0% | 6.6% |
| Steering & suspension | 4.5% | 7.0% |
| Brakes | 3.8% | 4.4% |
| Tyres & wheels | 2.4% | 3.1% |
| Drive system | 1.6% | 2.3% |
| Structure & body | 1.3% | 1.4% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.9% | 1.2% |
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
| Test year | Honda CB250 | Honda CB250 N |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 82.2% | 80.2% |
| 2019 | 85.0% | 80.3% |
| 2020 | 82.0% | 79.0% |
| 2021 | 81.8% | 81.8% |
| 2022 | 83.6% | 90.9% |
| 2023 | 84.1% | 83.3% |
| 2024 | 84.5% | 92.7% |
| 2025 | 84.8% | 86.5% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Honda CB250 | Honda CB250 N |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 86.6% | 79.9% |
| 10k-20k miles | 82.2% | 79.3% |
| 20k-30k miles | 79.0% | 75.4% |
| 30k-40k miles | 76.2% | 74.6% |
| 40k-50k miles | 76.8% | 73.8% |
| 50k-60k miles | 77.5% | 73.9% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Honda CB250 vs Honda CB250 N FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Honda CB250 or the Honda CB250 N?
The Honda CB250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB250 N: 79.9% vs 76.2%, a 3.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CB250 still comes out ahead: -3.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CB250, -7.6 for the Honda CB250 N. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Honda CB250 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 5.0% of Honda CB250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.5%).
What does the Honda CB250 N fail its MOT on most?
Steering & suspension: 7.0% of Honda CB250 N MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (6.6%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CB250 or the Honda CB250 N?
At 50k-60k miles the Honda CB250 passes first time more often: 77.5% for the Honda CB250 vs 73.9% for the Honda CB250 N.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.