MZ ETZ301 vs Yamaha YP250

The MZ ETZ301 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YP250: 84.1% vs 82.5%, a 1.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MZ ETZ301	Yamaha YP250
First-time pass rate	84.1%	82.5%
Outright fail rate	8.0%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.4 pts	-2.3 pts
Engine size	291cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#2721 of 5428	#3073 of 5428
Median miles at test	31,240	15,613
MOT tests analysed	675	12,433
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 ETZ301	Yamaha YP250
Brakes	2.4%	5.3%
Lights & signalling	5.2%	2.5%
Steering & suspension	1.5%	5.0%
Tyres & wheels	1.8%	3.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	0.8%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.5%
Drive system	0.1%	0.0%

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 ETZ301	Yamaha YP250
2008	74.5%	80.8%
2009	75.5%	81.8%
2010	82.6%	81.3%
2011	89.2%	80.4%
2012	78.9%	83.9%
2013	87.8%	83.1%
2014	91.2%	81.4%
2015	86.7%	84.2%

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 ETZ301	Yamaha YP250
0k-10k miles	88.2%	88.6%
10k-20k miles	88.2%	82.5%
20k-30k miles	87.7%	78.6%
30k-40k miles	87.7%	77.0%
40k-50k miles	75.8%	71.9%
50k-60k miles	79.3%	84.7%

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

MZ ETZ301 vs Yamaha YP250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MZ ETZ301 or the Yamaha YP250?

The MZ ETZ301 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YP250: 84.1% vs 82.5%, a 1.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the MZ ETZ301 still comes out ahead: +2.4 points vs comparable bikes for the MZ ETZ301, -2.3 for the Yamaha YP250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MZ ETZ301 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.2% of MZ ETZ301 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.4%).

What does the Yamaha YP250 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 5.3% of Yamaha YP250 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the MZ ETZ301 or the Yamaha YP250?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha YP250 passes first time more often: 79.3% for the MZ ETZ301 vs 84.7% for the Yamaha YP250.

MZ ETZ301 84.1% pass · 675 tests YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests

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