Honda XR250 vs Yamaha RD250

The Yamaha RD250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 85.8% vs 78.8%, a 7.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda XR250	Yamaha RD250
First-time pass rate	78.8%	85.8%
Outright fail rate	12.3%	6.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-6.8 pts	+1.3 pts
Engine size	249cc	247cc
Rank among all models	#3805 of 5428	#2266 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,618	22,069
MOT tests analysed	9,277	7,314
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 XR250	Yamaha RD250
Lights & signalling	7.1%	3.5%
Steering & suspension	4.8%	2.0%
Brakes	3.8%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	3.0%	1.3%
Structure & body	0.8%	0.5%
Drive system	0.8%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	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 XR250	Yamaha RD250
2018	83.3%	89.4%
2019	78.0%	90.5%
2020	83.3%	89.1%
2021	81.7%	90.8%
2022	83.7%	90.0%
2023	84.3%	90.0%
2024	84.1%	94.7%
2025	82.6%	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 XR250	Yamaha RD250
0k-10k miles	79.5%	88.6%
10k-20k miles	78.9%	85.4%
20k-30k miles	78.3%	85.7%
30k-40k miles	77.7%	85.3%
40k-50k miles	74.1%	83.6%
50k-60k miles	83.3%	83.5%

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

Honda XR250 vs Yamaha RD250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda XR250 or the Yamaha RD250?

The Yamaha RD250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 85.8% vs 78.8%, a 7.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha RD250 still comes out ahead: -6.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda XR250, +1.3 for the Yamaha RD250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda XR250 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.1% of Honda XR250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.8%).

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 XR250 or the Yamaha RD250?

They are level: at 50k-60k miles the Honda XR250 passes 83.3% first time and the Yamaha RD250 83.5%.

HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 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.