Sinnis QM vs Honda XR250

The Honda XR250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Sinnis QM: 78.8% vs 76.4%, a 2.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Sinnis QM	Honda XR250
First-time pass rate	76.4%	78.8%
Outright fail rate	12.4%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-7.2 pts	-6.8 pts
Engine size	250cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#4137 of 5428	#3805 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,942	8,618
MOT tests analysed	1,016	9,277
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Sinnis QM	Honda XR250
Lights & signalling	8.6%	7.1%
Steering & suspension	4.1%	4.8%
Brakes	3.8%	3.8%
Structure & body	4.6%	0.8%
Tyres & wheels	2.0%	3.0%
Drive system	0%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	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	Sinnis QM	Honda XR250
2018	81.1%	83.3%
2019	78.8%	78.0%
2020	72.3%	83.3%
2021	74.6%	81.7%
2022	80.2%	83.7%
2023	79.7%	84.3%
2024	72.9%	84.1%
2025	72.6%	82.6%

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 XR250
0k-10k miles	80.1%	79.5%
10k-20k miles	62.0%	78.9%
20k-30k miles	57.5%	78.3%

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

Sinnis QM vs Honda XR250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Sinnis QM or the Honda XR250?

The Honda XR250 passes its MOT first time more often than the Sinnis QM: 78.8% vs 76.4%, a 2.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-7.2 vs -6.8 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. 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 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 Sinnis QM or the Honda XR250?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda XR250 passes first time more often: 57.5% for the Sinnis QM vs 78.3% for the Honda XR250.

SINNIS QM 76.4% pass · 1,016 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.