Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Kawasaki KLX250 vs Honda CRF250
The Honda CRF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki KLX250: 87.9% vs 79.2%, a 8.7-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Kawasaki KLX250 | Honda CRF250 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 79.2% | 87.9% |
| Outright fail rate | 12.0% | 6.4% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -6.8 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Engine size | 249cc | 250cc |
| Rank among all models | #3734 of 5428 | #1639 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 8,918 | 3,631 |
| MOT tests analysed | 2,796 | 31,354 |
| Most common failure | lighting and signalling | lamps and reflectors |
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 | Kawasaki KLX250 | Honda CRF250 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 6.1% | 3.3% |
| Steering & suspension | 4.8% | 2.2% |
| Brakes | 4.8% | 1.2% |
| Tyres & wheels | 3.3% | 1.4% |
| Drive system | 1.1% | 0.1% |
| Structure & body | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.4% | 0.1% |
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 | Kawasaki KLX250 | Honda CRF250 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 75.5% | 87.9% |
| 2019 | 86.7% | 88.5% |
| 2020 | 87.2% | 90.2% |
| 2021 | 87.0% | 89.1% |
| 2022 | 83.8% | 89.0% |
| 2023 | 88.0% | 89.4% |
| 2024 | 86.5% | 89.8% |
| 2025 | 81.6% | 89.5% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Kawasaki KLX250 | Honda CRF250 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 82.4% | 89.2% |
| 10k-20k miles | 75.5% | 87.1% |
| 20k-30k miles | 76.5% | 85.1% |
| 30k-40k miles | 71.6% | 83.7% |
| 40k-50k miles | 83.3% | 72.1% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Kawasaki KLX250 vs Honda CRF250 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki KLX250 or the Honda CRF250?
The Honda CRF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki KLX250: 87.9% vs 79.2%, a 8.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CRF250 still comes out ahead: -6.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki KLX250, -0.1 for the Honda CRF250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Kawasaki KLX250 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 6.1% of Kawasaki KLX250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.8%).
What does the Honda CRF250 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 3.3% of Honda CRF250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.2%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kawasaki KLX250 or the Honda CRF250?
At 40k-50k miles the Kawasaki KLX250 passes first time more often: 83.3% for the Kawasaki KLX250 vs 72.1% for the Honda CRF250.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.