Honda NSR250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda NSR250 car check
Is the Honda NSR250 reliable? We analysed 808 real MOT tests across 156 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda NSR250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda NSR250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, reflector on motorcycle missing and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda NSR250.
Honda NSR250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda NSR250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda NSR250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda NSR250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda NSR250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda NSR250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda NSR250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda NSR250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda NSR250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda NSR250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 57 | 84.2% | 13,491 | 28,872 | 36,500 |
| 1995 | 74 | 82.4% | 15,992 | 28,419 | 37,391 |
| 1994 | 51 | 80.4% | 12,542 | 27,220 | 30,250 |
| 1991 | 59 | 79.7% | 19,714 | 26,342 | 30,700 |
How Long Does a Honda NSR250 Last?
Based on 156 Honda NSR250 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda NSR250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda NSR250 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 NSR250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.2% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
79.7% MOT pass rate from 59 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda NSR250 is 1996, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.2% across 57 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda NSR250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda NSR250 THIS CAR | 86.3% | 808 | 18,757 mi | 35 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 |
| Moto Roma Roadrunner 50 | 77.8% | 676 | 7,607 mi | 25 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda NSR250 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda NSR250 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 NSR250Should you buy a used Honda NSR250?
The Honda NSR250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.3% across 808 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 NSR250 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (9 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (8), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (6). 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 NSR250 owner drives around 221 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 NSR250 models stay on UK roads for around 35 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.