Husqvarna WR250 vs Honda XR250

The Honda XR250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Husqvarna WR250: 78.8% vs 74.7%, a 4.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Husqvarna WR250	Honda XR250
First-time pass rate	74.7%	78.8%
Outright fail rate	16.5%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-12.7 pts	-6.8 pts
Engine size	249cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#4338 of 5428	#3805 of 5428
Median miles at test	1,800	8,618
MOT tests analysed	899	9,277
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	Husqvarna WR250	Honda XR250
Lights & signalling	9.5%	7.1%
Steering & suspension	8.5%	4.8%
Tyres & wheels	4.9%	3.0%
Brakes	3.4%	3.8%
Drive system	1.4%	0.8%
Structure & body	0.9%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.7%	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	Husqvarna WR250	Honda XR250
2014	72.4%	77.8%
2015	84.3%	80.5%
2016	79.2%	78.9%
2017	82.8%	78.2%
2018	81.3%	83.3%
2019	72.7%	78.0%
2021	71.4%	81.7%
2022	72.5%	83.7%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Husqvarna WR250 vs Honda XR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Husqvarna WR250 or the Honda XR250?

The Honda XR250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Husqvarna WR250: 78.8% vs 74.7%, a 4.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda XR250 still comes out ahead: -12.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Husqvarna WR250, -6.8 for the Honda XR250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Husqvarna WR250 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 9.5% of Husqvarna WR250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (8.5%).

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%).

HUSQVARNA WR250 74.7% pass · 899 tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests

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