Honda CB250N Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda CB250N car check
Is the Honda CB250N reliable? We analysed 2,828 real MOT tests across 513 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda CB250N? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda CB250N is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda CB250N.
Honda CB250N Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda CB250N. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda CB250N MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda CB250N to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda CB250N Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda CB250N fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda CB250N Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda CB250N owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda CB250N MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda CB250N year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 351 | 79.8% | 23,254 | 29,349 | 36,734 |
| 1981 | 513 | 80.5% | 18,599 | 27,895 | 35,799 |
| 1980 | 847 | 79.6% | 19,994 | 29,528 | 39,164 |
| 1979 | 726 | 80.7% | 18,282 | 29,230 | 37,533 |
| 1978 | 257 | 81.7% | 20,639 | 27,935 | 38,196 |
How Long Does a Honda CB250N Last?
Based on 513 Honda CB250N vehicles on UK roads.
Honda CB250N Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda CB250N MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Honda CB250N
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.7% MOT pass rate from 257 tests
79.6% MOT pass rate from 847 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda CB250N is 1978, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.7% across 257 tests. The 1980 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda CB250N Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB250N THIS CAR | 80.3% | 2,828 | 28,508 mi | 48 yrs |
| Honda Civic | 73.7% | 9,391,580 | 74,987 mi | 34 yrs |
| Honda Jazz | 81% | 5,740,892 | 48,635 mi | 24 yrs |
| Honda Cr-v | 78.5% | 4,177,643 | 80,499 mi | 29 yrs |
| Peugeot 3008 GT Bluehdi S/s | 89.8% | 3,140 | 33,318 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda CB250N sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda CB250N you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Honda CB250NShould you buy a used Honda CB250N?
The Honda CB250N has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.3% across 2,828 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Honda CB250N are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (43 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (29), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (23). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Honda CB250N owner drives around 279 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Honda CB250N models stay on UK roads for around 48 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.