MZ ETZ250 vs Honda CBF250

The MZ ETZ250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF250: 86.6% vs 84.9%, a 1.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MZ ETZ250	Honda CBF250
First-time pass rate	86.6%	84.9%
Outright fail rate	5.6%	8.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+3.7 pts	-1.4 pts
Engine size	243cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#2016 of 5428	#2516 of 5428
Median miles at test	27,080	10,566
MOT tests analysed	2,568	7,536
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	MZ ETZ250	Honda CBF250
Lights & signalling	2.4%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	1.8%	2.8%
Brakes	1.8%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.5%	2.0%
Drive system	0%	1.6%
Structure & body	0.3%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	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	MZ ETZ250	Honda CBF250
2018	83.3%	84.0%
2019	87.5%	81.6%
2020	91.7%	88.6%
2021	87.8%	89.2%
2022	88.3%	90.5%
2023	95.9%	88.1%
2024	92.7%	85.6%
2025	88.9%	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	MZ ETZ250	Honda CBF250
0k-10k miles	81.1%	88.5%
10k-20k miles	86.0%	82.6%
20k-30k miles	86.9%	81.6%
30k-40k miles	88.8%	77.0%
40k-50k miles	81.9%	78.7%
50k-60k miles	94.1%	80.3%

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

MZ ETZ250 vs Honda CBF250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MZ ETZ250 or the Honda CBF250?

The MZ ETZ250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF250: 86.6% vs 84.9%, a 1.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the MZ ETZ250 still comes out ahead: +3.7 points vs comparable bikes for the MZ ETZ250, -1.4 for the Honda CBF250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MZ ETZ250 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.4% of MZ ETZ250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.8%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the MZ ETZ250 or the Honda CBF250?

At 50k-60k miles the MZ ETZ250 passes first time more often: 94.1% for the MZ ETZ250 vs 80.3% for the Honda CBF250.

MZ ETZ250 86.6% pass · 2,568 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.