Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Kawasaki KMX200 vs Honda CBF250
The Honda CBF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki KMX200: 84.9% vs 76.8%, a 8.1-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Kawasaki KMX200 | Honda CBF250 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 76.8% | 84.9% |
| Outright fail rate | 14.0% | 8.1% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -1.1 pts | -1.4 pts |
| Engine size | 198cc | 249cc |
| Rank among all models | #4087 of 5428 | #2516 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 15,798 | 10,566 |
| MOT tests analysed | 2,665 | 7,536 |
| Most common failure | lighting and signalling | 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
| Component | Kawasaki KMX200 | Honda CBF250 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 7.7% | 2.8% |
| Steering & suspension | 5.9% | 2.8% |
| Brakes | 4.8% | 2.5% |
| Tyres & wheels | 3.8% | 2.0% |
| Drive system | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Structure & body | 1.2% | 0.5% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 1.2% | 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 KMX200 | Honda CBF250 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 72.5% | 84.0% |
| 2019 | 81.9% | 81.6% |
| 2020 | 82.7% | 88.6% |
| 2021 | 78.7% | 89.2% |
| 2022 | 81.8% | 90.5% |
| 2023 | 86.1% | 88.1% |
| 2024 | 88.2% | 85.6% |
| 2025 | 84.3% | 85.7% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Kawasaki KMX200 | Honda CBF250 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 78.0% | 88.5% |
| 10k-20k miles | 77.4% | 82.6% |
| 20k-30k miles | 75.0% | 81.6% |
| 30k-40k miles | 75.5% | 77.0% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Kawasaki KMX200 vs Honda CBF250 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki KMX200 or the Honda CBF250?
The Honda CBF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki KMX200: 84.9% vs 76.8%, a 8.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-1.1 vs -1.4 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 Kawasaki KMX200 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 7.7% of Kawasaki KMX200 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.9%).
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%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kawasaki KMX200 or the Honda CBF250?
At 30k-40k miles the Honda CBF250 passes first time more often: 75.5% for the Kawasaki KMX200 vs 77.0% for the Honda CBF250.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.