Royal Enfield Crusader vs Honda XR250

The Royal Enfield Crusader passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 91.5% vs 78.8%, a 12.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Royal Enfield Crusader	Honda XR250
First-time pass rate	91.5%	78.8%
Outright fail rate	4.4%	12.3%
Engine size	250cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#567 of 5428	#3805 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,541	8,618
MOT tests analysed	661	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.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Royal Enfield Crusader	Honda XR250
Lights & signalling	2.3%	7.1%
Steering & suspension	1.7%	4.8%
Brakes	1.1%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	0.9%	3.0%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.8%
Drive system	0.3%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	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	Royal Enfield Crusader	Honda XR250
2010	88.1%	74.8%
2011	95.2%	74.6%
2012	96.5%	77.6%
2013	81.3%	75.4%
2014	91.3%	77.8%
2015	77.5%	80.5%
2016	91.9%	78.9%
2017	100.0%	78.2%

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	Royal Enfield Crusader	Honda XR250
0k-10k miles	93.3%	79.5%
10k-20k miles	91.4%	78.9%
20k-30k miles	91.2%	78.3%
30k-40k miles	81.0%	77.7%
40k-50k miles	95.1%	74.1%

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

Royal Enfield Crusader vs Honda XR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Royal Enfield Crusader or the Honda XR250?

The Royal Enfield Crusader passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XR250: 91.5% vs 78.8%, a 12.7-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Royal Enfield Crusader fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.3% of Royal Enfield Crusader MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.7%).

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 Royal Enfield Crusader or the Honda XR250?

At 40k-50k miles the Royal Enfield Crusader passes first time more often: 95.1% for the Royal Enfield Crusader vs 74.1% for the Honda XR250.

ROYAL ENFIELD CRUSADER 91.5% pass · 661 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.