Honda XL250S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda XL250S car check
Is the Honda XL250S reliable? We analysed 563 real MOT tests across 103 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda XL250S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda XL250S 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 headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda XL250S.
Honda XL250S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda XL250S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda XL250S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda XL250S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda XL250S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda XL250S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda XL250S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda XL250S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda XL250S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda XL250S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 95 | 86.3% | 9,316 | 18,608 | 21,806 |
| 1980 | 142 | 78.2% | 5,172 | 12,702 | 17,294 |
| 1979 | 85 | 77.6% | 9,320 | 13,783 | 19,884 |
| 1978 | 60 | 86.7% | 7,251 | 12,148 | 16,032 |
How Long Does a Honda XL250S Last?
Based on 103 Honda XL250S vehicles on UK roads.
Honda XL250S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda XL250S 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 XL250S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.7% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
77.6% MOT pass rate from 85 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda XL250S is 1978, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.7% across 60 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda XL250S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda XL250S THIS CAR | 80.8% | 563 | 13,300 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 |
| Citroen Xsara Picasso LX HDI | 72.4% | 369 | 150,466 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda XL250S sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda XL250S 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 XL250SShould you buy a used Honda XL250S?
The Honda XL250S has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.8% across 563 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 XL250S are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (20 recorded failures), horn not working (11), and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (9). 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 XL250S owner drives around 121 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 XL250S 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.