BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KTM 200/vs Yamaha WR250F
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KTM 200 vs Yamaha WR250F

The KTM 200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha WR250F: 80.8% vs 78.0%, a 2.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric KTM 200 Yamaha WR250F
First-time pass rate 80.8% 78.0%
Outright fail rate 10.7% 12.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +0.5 pts -10.7 pts
Engine size 200cc 249cc
Rank among all models #3418 of 5428 #3913 of 5428
Median miles at test 3,002 3,018
MOT tests analysed 1,707 10,465
Most common failure lamps and reflectors 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 KTM 200 Yamaha WR250F
Lights & signalling 6.0% 8.2%
Steering & suspension 3.4% 5.1%
Tyres & wheels 3.2% 3.0%
Brakes 2.6% 2.2%
Structure & body 1.5% 0.5%
Drive system 0.1% 0.7%
Fuel & exhaust 0.1% 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 KTM 200 Yamaha WR250F
2018 83.3% 79.2%
2019 81.8% 77.2%
2020 80.9% 82.5%
2021 81.6% 80.4%
2022 80.5% 76.2%
2023 85.3% 82.1%
2024 82.1% 80.2%
2025 81.6% 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 KTM 200 Yamaha WR250F
0k-10k miles 82.7% 78.1%
10k-20k miles 73.2% 77.3%

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

KTM 200 vs Yamaha WR250F FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 200 or the Yamaha WR250F?

The KTM 200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha WR250F: 80.8% vs 78.0%, a 2.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the KTM 200 still comes out ahead: +0.5 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 200, -10.7 for the Yamaha WR250F. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 200 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.0% of KTM 200 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.4%).

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%).

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