Honda CBF250 vs Yamaha RD250

The Yamaha RD250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF250: 85.8% vs 84.9%, a 0.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda CBF250	Yamaha RD250
First-time pass rate	84.9%	85.8%
Outright fail rate	8.1%	6.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.4 pts	+1.3 pts
Engine size	249cc	247cc
Rank among all models	#2516 of 5428	#2266 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,566	22,069
MOT tests analysed	7,536	7,314
Most common failure	brakes	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 CBF250	Yamaha RD250
Lights & signalling	2.8%	3.5%
Brakes	2.5%	2.4%
Steering & suspension	2.8%	2.0%
Tyres & wheels	2.0%	1.3%
Drive system	1.6%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	0.3%

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 CBF250	Yamaha RD250
2018	84.0%	89.4%
2019	81.6%	90.5%
2020	88.6%	89.1%
2021	89.2%	90.8%
2022	90.5%	90.0%
2023	88.1%	90.0%
2024	85.6%	94.7%
2025	85.7%	97.5%

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 CBF250	Yamaha RD250
0k-10k miles	88.5%	88.6%
10k-20k miles	82.6%	85.4%
20k-30k miles	81.6%	85.7%
30k-40k miles	77.0%	85.3%
40k-50k miles	78.7%	83.6%
50k-60k miles	80.3%	83.5%

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

Honda CBF250 vs Yamaha RD250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CBF250 or the Yamaha RD250?

The Yamaha RD250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF250: 85.8% vs 84.9%, a 0.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha RD250 still comes out ahead: -1.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CBF250, +1.3 for the Yamaha RD250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CBF250 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.8% of Honda CBF250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.8%).

What does the Yamaha RD250 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.5% of Yamaha RD250 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CBF250 or the Yamaha RD250?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha RD250 passes first time more often: 80.3% for the Honda CBF250 vs 83.5% for the Yamaha RD250.

HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 tests YAMAHA RD250 85.8% pass · 7,314 tests

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