Sinnis QM vs Honda CBF250

The Honda CBF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Sinnis QM: 84.9% vs 76.4%, a 8.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Sinnis QM	Honda CBF250
First-time pass rate	76.4%	84.9%
Outright fail rate	12.4%	8.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-7.2 pts	-1.4 pts
Engine size	250cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#4137 of 5428	#2516 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,942	10,566
MOT tests analysed	1,016	7,536
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Sinnis QM	Honda CBF250
Lights & signalling	8.6%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	4.1%	2.8%
Brakes	3.8%	2.5%
Structure & body	4.6%	0.5%
Tyres & wheels	2.0%	2.0%
Drive system	0%	1.6%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	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	Sinnis QM	Honda CBF250
2018	81.1%	84.0%
2019	78.8%	81.6%
2020	72.3%	88.6%
2021	74.6%	89.2%
2022	80.2%	90.5%
2023	79.7%	88.1%
2024	72.9%	85.6%
2025	72.6%	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	Sinnis QM	Honda CBF250
0k-10k miles	80.1%	88.5%
10k-20k miles	62.0%	82.6%
20k-30k miles	57.5%	81.6%

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

Sinnis QM vs Honda CBF250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Sinnis QM or the Honda CBF250?

The Honda CBF250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Sinnis QM: 84.9% vs 76.4%, a 8.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF250 still comes out ahead: -7.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Sinnis QM, -1.4 for the Honda CBF250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Sinnis QM fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.6% of Sinnis QM MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (4.6%).

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 Sinnis QM or the Honda CBF250?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CBF250 passes first time more often: 57.5% for the Sinnis QM vs 81.6% for the Honda CBF250.

SINNIS QM 76.4% pass · 1,016 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.