Honda CB250RS Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda CB250RS car check
Is the Honda CB250RS reliable? We analysed 1,481 real MOT tests across 206 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda CB250RS? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda CB250RS 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 CB250RS.
Honda CB250RS Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda CB250RS. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda CB250RS MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda CB250RS to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda CB250RS Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda CB250RS fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda CB250RS Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda CB250RS owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda CB250RS MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda CB250RS year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 246 | 85.8% | 21,909 | 33,786 | 41,718 |
| 1981 | 647 | 82.7% | 20,520 | 32,513 | 42,329 |
| 1980 | 560 | 83.8% | 21,538 | 31,438 | 43,440 |
How Long Does a Honda CB250RS Last?
Based on 206 Honda CB250RS vehicles on UK roads.
Honda CB250RS Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda CB250RS 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 CB250RS
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.8% MOT pass rate from 246 tests
82.7% MOT pass rate from 647 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda CB250RS is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.8% across 246 tests. The 1981 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda CB250RS Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB250RS THIS CAR | 83.6% | 1,481 | 32,546 mi | 46 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 |
| BMW 730D M Sport Auto | 90.5% | 503 | 83,237 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda CB250RS outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda CB250RS 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 CB250RSShould you buy a used Honda CB250RS?
The Honda CB250RS has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.6% across 1,481 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 CB250RS are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (15 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (12), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (10). 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 CB250RS owner drives around 382 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 CB250RS models stay on UK roads for around 46 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.