Kawasaki KMX200 vs Yamaha WR250F

The Yamaha WR250F passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki KMX200: 78.0% vs 76.8%, a 1.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Kawasaki KMX200	Yamaha WR250F
First-time pass rate	76.8%	78.0%
Outright fail rate	14.0%	12.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.1 pts	-10.7 pts
Engine size	198cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#4087 of 5428	#3913 of 5428
Median miles at test	15,798	3,018
MOT tests analysed	2,665	10,465
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	Kawasaki KMX200	Yamaha WR250F
Lights & signalling	7.7%	8.2%
Steering & suspension	5.9%	5.1%
Brakes	4.8%	2.2%
Tyres & wheels	3.8%	3.0%
Drive system	1.8%	0.7%
Structure & body	1.2%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	1.2%	0.4%

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	Kawasaki KMX200	Yamaha WR250F
2018	72.5%	79.2%
2019	81.9%	77.2%
2020	82.7%	82.5%
2021	78.7%	80.4%
2022	81.8%	76.2%
2023	86.1%	82.1%
2024	88.2%	80.2%
2025	84.3%	81.6%

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	Kawasaki KMX200	Yamaha WR250F
0k-10k miles	78.0%	78.1%
10k-20k miles	77.4%	77.3%
20k-30k miles	75.0%	67.9%

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

Kawasaki KMX200 vs Yamaha WR250F FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki KMX200 or the Yamaha WR250F?

The Yamaha WR250F passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki KMX200: 78.0% vs 76.8%, a 1.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki KMX200 still comes out ahead: -1.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki KMX200, -10.7 for the Yamaha WR250F. 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 Yamaha WR250F fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.2% of Yamaha WR250F MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.1%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kawasaki KMX200 or the Yamaha WR250F?

At 20k-30k miles the Kawasaki KMX200 passes first time more often: 75.0% for the Kawasaki KMX200 vs 67.9% for the Yamaha WR250F.

KAWASAKI KMX200 76.8% pass · 2,665 tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests

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