Suzuki DL 250 AL8 vs Yamaha YP250

The Suzuki DL 250 AL8 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YP250: 94.2% vs 82.5%, a 11.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki DL 250 AL8	Yamaha YP250
First-time pass rate	94.2%	82.5%
Outright fail rate	3.1%	12.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+5.6 pts	-2.3 pts
Engine size	248cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#143 of 5428	#3073 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,243	15,613
MOT tests analysed	1,203	12,433
Most common failure	brakes	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	Suzuki DL 250 AL8	Yamaha YP250
Brakes	1.6%	5.3%
Steering & suspension	0.5%	5.0%
Tyres & wheels	0.7%	3.8%
Lights & signalling	0.5%	2.5%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	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	Suzuki DL 250 AL8	Yamaha YP250
2021	96.3%	84.5%
2022	97.1%	81.9%
2023	93.4%	84.4%
2024	93.0%	84.4%
2025	91.1%	85.9%

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	Suzuki DL 250 AL8	Yamaha YP250
0k-10k miles	96.2%	88.6%
10k-20k miles	88.5%	82.5%
20k-30k miles	83.8%	78.6%

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

Suzuki DL 250 AL8 vs Yamaha YP250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki DL 250 AL8 or the Yamaha YP250?

The Suzuki DL 250 AL8 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YP250: 94.2% vs 82.5%, a 11.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki DL 250 AL8 still comes out ahead: +5.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki DL 250 AL8, -2.3 for the Yamaha YP250. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki DL 250 AL8 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.6% of Suzuki DL 250 AL8 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (0.7%).

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 Suzuki DL 250 AL8 or the Yamaha YP250?

At 20k-30k miles the Suzuki DL 250 AL8 passes first time more often: 83.8% for the Suzuki DL 250 AL8 vs 78.6% for the Yamaha YP250.

SUZUKI DL 250 AL8 94.2% pass · 1,203 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.