KTM 250 Exc-F vs Honda XR250

The Honda XR250 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 250 Exc-F: 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	KTM 250 Exc-F	Honda XR250
First-time pass rate	74.7%	78.8%
Outright fail rate	13.6%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-14.6 pts	-6.8 pts
Engine size	249cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#4338 of 5428	#3805 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,974	8,618
MOT tests analysed	3,832	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	KTM 250 Exc-F	Honda XR250
Lights & signalling	9.6%	7.1%
Steering & suspension	5.4%	4.8%
Brakes	2.3%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	3.1%	3.0%
Drive system	0.7%	0.8%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.3%	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	KTM 250 Exc-F	Honda XR250
2018	74.0%	83.3%
2019	71.3%	78.0%
2020	74.0%	83.3%
2021	74.1%	81.7%
2022	78.4%	83.7%
2023	85.8%	84.3%
2024	81.3%	84.1%
2025	83.2%	82.6%

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 250 Exc-F	Honda XR250
0k-10k miles	74.5%	79.5%
10k-20k miles	78.0%	78.9%

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

KTM 250 Exc-F vs Honda XR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 250 Exc-F or the Honda XR250?

The Honda XR250 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 250 Exc-F: 78.8% vs 74.7%, a 4.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda XR250 still comes out ahead: -14.6 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 250 Exc-F, -6.8 for the Honda XR250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 250 Exc-F fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 9.6% of KTM 250 Exc-F MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.4%).

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%).

KTM 250 EXC-F 74.7% pass · 3,832 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.