KTM 250 vs Honda CBF250

The Honda CBF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 250: 84.9% vs 79.4%, a 5.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 250	Honda CBF250
First-time pass rate	79.4%	84.9%
Outright fail rate	10.7%	8.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-10.6 pts	-1.4 pts
Engine size	250cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#3705 of 5428	#2516 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,300	10,566
MOT tests analysed	4,580	7,536
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	KTM 250	Honda CBF250
Lights & signalling	5.8%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	5.1%	2.8%
Tyres & wheels	3.3%	2.0%
Brakes	1.3%	2.5%
Drive system	0.2%	1.6%
Structure & body	1.0%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0.0%	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

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	KTM 250	Honda CBF250
2018	80.6%	84.0%
2019	75.7%	81.6%
2020	82.4%	88.6%
2021	78.3%	89.2%
2022	80.2%	90.5%
2023	81.1%	88.1%
2024	80.9%	85.6%
2025	80.0%	85.7%

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	Honda CBF250
0k-10k miles	78.8%	88.5%
10k-20k miles	89.5%	82.6%

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

KTM 250 vs Honda CBF250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 250 or the Honda CBF250?

The Honda CBF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 250: 84.9% vs 79.4%, a 5.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF250 still comes out ahead: -10.6 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 250, -1.4 for the Honda CBF250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 250 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.8% of KTM 250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.1%).

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%).

KTM 250 79.4% pass · 4,580 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 tests

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