KTM 250 vs Honda XR250

The KTM 250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 79.4% vs 78.8%, a 0.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 250	Honda XR250
First-time pass rate	79.4%	78.8%
Outright fail rate	10.7%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-10.6 pts	-6.8 pts
Engine size	250cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#3705 of 5428	#3805 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,300	8,618
MOT tests analysed	4,580	9,277
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 250	Honda XR250
Lights & signalling	5.8%	7.1%
Steering & suspension	5.1%	4.8%
Tyres & wheels	3.3%	3.0%
Brakes	1.3%	3.8%
Structure & body	1.0%	0.8%
Drive system	0.2%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.0%	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	Honda XR250
2018	80.6%	83.3%
2019	75.7%	78.0%
2020	82.4%	83.3%
2021	78.3%	81.7%
2022	80.2%	83.7%
2023	81.1%	84.3%
2024	80.9%	84.1%
2025	80.0%	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	Honda XR250
0k-10k miles	78.8%	79.5%
10k-20k miles	89.5%	78.9%

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

KTM 250 vs Honda XR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The KTM 250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 79.4% vs 78.8%, a 0.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda XR250 still comes out ahead: -10.6 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 250, -6.8 for the Honda XR250. 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 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 79.4% pass · 4,580 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.