MZ Saxon vs Honda XR250

The MZ Saxon passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 84.7% vs 78.8%, a 5.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MZ Saxon	Honda XR250
First-time pass rate	84.7%	78.8%
Outright fail rate	6.3%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.0 pts	-6.8 pts
Engine size	291cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#2572 of 5428	#3805 of 5428
Median miles at test	36,407	8,618
MOT tests analysed	601	9,277
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	MZ Saxon	Honda XR250
Lights & signalling	3.3%	7.1%
Steering & suspension	1.7%	4.8%
Brakes	2.2%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	1.8%	3.0%
Structure & body	1.0%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	0.5%
Drive system	0%	0.8%

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 Saxon	Honda XR250
2008	74.1%	78.3%
2009	80.8%	76.5%
2010	81.3%	74.8%
2011	80.0%	74.6%
2012	86.1%	77.6%
2013	90.9%	75.4%
2014	90.0%	77.8%
2015	90.0%	80.5%

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 Saxon	Honda XR250
0k-10k miles	89.5%	79.5%
10k-20k miles	82.3%	78.9%
20k-30k miles	88.6%	78.3%
30k-40k miles	86.7%	77.7%
40k-50k miles	77.6%	74.1%
50k-60k miles	80.3%	83.3%

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

MZ Saxon vs Honda XR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MZ Saxon or the Honda XR250?

The MZ Saxon passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 84.7% vs 78.8%, a 5.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the MZ Saxon still comes out ahead: +6.0 points vs comparable bikes for the MZ Saxon, -6.8 for the Honda XR250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MZ Saxon fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.3% of MZ Saxon MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.2%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the MZ Saxon or the Honda XR250?

At 50k-60k miles the Honda XR250 passes first time more often: 80.3% for the MZ Saxon vs 83.3% for the Honda XR250.

MZ SAXON 84.7% pass · 601 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.