Honda XL250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda XL250 car check
Is the Honda XL250 reliable? We analysed 5,320 real MOT tests across 963 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda XL250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda XL250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, horn not working and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda XL250.
Honda XL250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda XL250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda XL250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda XL250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda XL250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda XL250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda XL250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda XL250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda XL250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda XL250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 62 | 87.1% | 9,497 | 16,971 | 21,444 |
| 2005 | 88 | 84.1% | 15,820 | 26,059 | 37,025 |
| 2004 | 136 | 82.4% | 12,562 | 15,970 | 26,477 |
| 2003 | 120 | 84.2% | 11,353 | 17,434 | 27,497 |
| 2001 | 95 | 82.1% | 17,543 | 20,901 | 41,300 |
| 2000 | 121 | 80.2% | 10,571 | 18,870 | 24,595 |
| 1999 | 130 | 82.3% | 16,906 | 24,211 | 30,232 |
| 1998 | 148 | 80.4% | 12,171 | 24,816 | 38,294 |
| 1997 | 106 | 84.0% | 13,444 | 22,727 | 33,770 |
| 1996 | 83 | 86.7% | 9,856 | 20,564 | 27,334 |
| 1991 | 107 | 82.2% | 15,420 | 26,873 | 48,966 |
| 1987 | 59 | 83.1% | 10,182 | 12,713 | 22,324 |
| 1986 | 223 | 87.0% | 10,485 | 19,062 | 41,370 |
| 1985 | 95 | 77.9% | 16,478 | 28,162 | 37,906 |
| 1984 | 329 | 83.6% | 10,850 | 19,358 | 31,198 |
| 1983 | 283 | 88.0% | 12,045 | 20,313 | 29,949 |
| 1982 | 382 | 79.3% | 11,908 | 25,872 | 32,935 |
| 1981 | 437 | 79.2% | 7,824 | 13,993 | 21,392 |
| 1980 | 497 | 79.7% | 12,391 | 18,470 | 26,358 |
| 1979 | 394 | 85.0% | 9,731 | 17,058 | 24,112 |
How Long Does a Honda XL250 Last?
Based on 963 Honda XL250 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda XL250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda XL250 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 XL250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests
77.8% MOT pass rate from 99 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda XL250 is 1973, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.0% across 100 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda XL250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda XL250 THIS CAR | 83.0% | 5,320 | 17,672 mi | 53 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 |
| Mini Cooper D Auto | 82.3% | 7,318 | 50,272 mi | 18 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda XL250 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda XL250 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 XL250Should you buy a used Honda XL250?
The Honda XL250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.0% across 5,320 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 XL250 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (64 recorded failures), horn not working (46), and reflector on motorcycle missing (44). 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 XL250 owner drives around 193 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 XL250 models stay on UK roads for around 53 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.