KTM 250 vs Yamaha WR250F

The KTM 250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha WR250F: 79.4% vs 78.0%, a 1.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 250	Yamaha WR250F
First-time pass rate	79.4%	78.0%
Outright fail rate	10.7%	12.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-10.6 pts	-10.7 pts
Engine size	250cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#3705 of 5428	#3913 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,300	3,018
MOT tests analysed	4,580	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 250	Yamaha WR250F
Lights & signalling	5.8%	8.2%
Steering & suspension	5.1%	5.1%
Tyres & wheels	3.3%	3.0%
Brakes	1.3%	2.2%
Structure & body	1.0%	0.5%
Drive system	0.2%	0.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0.0%	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 250	Yamaha WR250F
2018	80.6%	79.2%
2019	75.7%	77.2%
2020	82.4%	82.5%
2021	78.3%	80.4%
2022	80.2%	76.2%
2023	81.1%	82.1%
2024	80.9%	80.2%
2025	80.0%	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 250	Yamaha WR250F
0k-10k miles	78.8%	78.1%
10k-20k miles	89.5%	77.3%

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

KTM 250 vs Yamaha WR250F FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 250 or the Yamaha WR250F?

The KTM 250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha WR250F: 79.4% vs 78.0%, a 1.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-10.6 vs -10.7 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. 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 Yamaha WR250F fail its MOT on most?

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

KTM 250 79.4% pass · 4,580 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.