Yamaha TZR250 MOT pass rate and common failures

Yamaha TZR250 motorcycles pass the MOT 91.09% of the time, measured across 202 tests in the DVSA record. A further 3.96% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 4.2 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.
Pass rate 91.09% 184 of 202
Fixed at the station 3.96% passed after an on-the-spot repair
Average mileage at test 18,342 miles
Average age at test 32.98 years old
Engine 249cc MOT class 2
For sale now 0 Yamaha TZR250 adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

  • Start with not working - it accounts for 50% of failed tests on this model.
  • Then check does not conform to the specified requirements and missing, the next two most common reasons.
  • The most common advisory is has a serious fluid leak (5.9% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
  • Average recorded mileage at test is 18,342 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.

Pass rate by age

A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.

Age at test Pass rate   Tests
16+ years 90.86% 186

Why the Yamaha TZR250 fails

Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.

# Item Of failures   Tests
1 Not working 50% 5
2 Does not conform to the specified requirements 30% 3
3 Missing 30% 3
4 Seriously damaged 20% 2
5 Too low 20% 2
6 Adversely affected by the operation of another lamp 10% 1
7 Component pin or bush excessively worn 10% 1
8 Contaminated 10% 1
9 Effort inadequate at a wheel 10% 1
10 Fluid level below minimum level 10% 1

Most common advisories

Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.

# Item Of all tests   Tests
1 Has a serious fluid leak 5.9% 12
2 Excessively loose 3% 6
3 Excessively binding 2.5% 5
4 Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 2% 4
5 Seriously damaged 2% 4
6 Has excessive play 1.5% 3
7 Has excessive wear or free play 1.5% 3
8 Excessively stiff or notchy 1% 2
9 Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 1% 2
10 Chain guard missing 0.5% 1

Yamaha TZR250 for sale

No Yamaha TZR250 in stock at the moment - 84 other Yamaha bikes are advertised.

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model Tests Pass rate   Avg mileage
Piaggio VESPA GTS · 240-300cc 4,305 92.15% 9,875
Honda CRF 220-250cc · 220-250cc 2,452 89.76% 7,549
Honda NSS 250-297cc · 250-297cc 1,397 90.34% 17,407
Honda CRF 300 LA-M · 286cc 1,297 88.43% 3,963
BMW G310 · 313cc 1,129 90.79% 7,243
Piaggio VESPA GTS 300 SUPER · 277cc 914 93.76% 12,292

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

Yamaha TZR250 MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Yamaha TZR250?+
91.09% of Yamaha TZR250 MOT tests end in a pass, based on 202 tests in the DVSA dataset.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Yamaha TZR250?+
Not working, which appears in 50% of failed tests on this model.
Where does this data come from?+
From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.
Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+
Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.
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