Honda CBF250 vs Yamaha YP250

The Honda CBF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YP250: 84.9% vs 82.5%, a 2.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda CBF250	Yamaha YP250
First-time pass rate	84.9%	82.5%
Outright fail rate	8.1%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.4 pts	-2.3 pts
Engine size	249cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#2516 of 5428	#3073 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,566	15,613
MOT tests analysed	7,536	12,433
Most common failure	brakes	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 CBF250	Yamaha YP250
Brakes	2.5%	5.3%
Steering & suspension	2.8%	5.0%
Tyres & wheels	2.0%	3.8%
Lights & signalling	2.8%	2.5%
Drive system	1.6%	0.0%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	0.8%

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 YP250
2018	84.0%	82.9%
2019	81.6%	84.2%
2020	88.6%	82.5%
2021	89.2%	84.5%
2022	90.5%	81.9%
2023	88.1%	84.4%
2024	85.6%	84.4%
2025	85.7%	85.9%

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 YP250
0k-10k miles	88.5%	88.6%
10k-20k miles	82.6%	82.5%
20k-30k miles	81.6%	78.6%
30k-40k miles	77.0%	77.0%
40k-50k miles	78.7%	71.9%
50k-60k miles	80.3%	84.7%

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

Honda CBF250 vs Yamaha YP250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CBF250 or the Yamaha YP250?

The Honda CBF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YP250: 84.9% vs 82.5%, a 2.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-1.4 vs -2.3 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CBF250 fail its MOT on most?

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

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 CBF250 or the Yamaha YP250?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha YP250 passes first time more often: 80.3% for the Honda CBF250 vs 84.7% for the Yamaha YP250.

HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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.