CarVerify

Kawasaki EX250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki EX250 car check

Is the Kawasaki EX250 reliable? We analysed 4,872 real MOT tests across 532 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Kawasaki EX250? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 4,872 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.0%
Typical Mileage
10,329mi
Annual Mileage
699mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
18yrs

The Kawasaki EX250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki EX250.

Kawasaki EX250 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki EX250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki EX250 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki EX250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

83.8%
2012
80.2%
2011
80.3%
2010
80.5%
2009
83.5%
2008
66.7%
1991

Kawasaki EX250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki EX250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 51
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 50
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 49
suspension movement is excessively stiff 48
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 47
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 47
reflector on motorcycle missing 29

Kawasaki EX250 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Kawasaki EX250 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 29

Kawasaki EX250 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki EX250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
168 mi/yr
Typical
699 mi/yr
Average
1,439 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,908 mi/yr

Kawasaki EX250 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki EX250 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2012 142 83.8% 5,002 9,174 15,864
2011 596 80.2% 4,764 9,218 16,100
2010 1,024 80.3% 5,350 9,522 15,495
2009 1,731 80.5% 5,350 9,985 16,917
2008 1,068 83.5% 5,978 11,355 17,721
1991 54 66.7% 13,256 20,614 25,971

How Long Does a Kawasaki EX250 Last?

Based on 532 Kawasaki EX250 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.4 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
18 years

Kawasaki EX250 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki EX250 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
10,329 mi
75th Percentile
17,389 mi
95th Percentile
32,167 mi
Max Recorded
619,324 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki EX250

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2012

83.8% MOT pass rate from 142 tests

Year to avoid
1991

66.7% MOT pass rate from 54 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki EX250 is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.8% across 142 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki EX250 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki EX250 THIS CAR 81.0% 4,872 10,329 mi 18 yrs
Kawasaki ZX-6R 81.7% 204,826 19,965 mi 31 yrs
Kawasaki ZX-9R 83.7% 103,150 22,736 mi 32 yrs
Kawasaki ER5 81.2% 65,763 22,023 mi 30 yrs
BMW 225XE M Sport Auto 87.4% 2,603 35,979 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki EX250 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Kawasaki EX250 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 Kawasaki EX250

Should you buy a used Kawasaki EX250?

The Kawasaki EX250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.0% across 4,872 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 Kawasaki EX250 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (51 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (50), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (49). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Kawasaki EX250 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Kawasaki EX250 owner drives around 699 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 Kawasaki EX250 models stay on UK roads for around 18 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.

Kawasaki EX250 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki EX250 reliable?
Based on 4,872 MOT tests, the Kawasaki EX250 has a 81.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki EX250?
The most common MOT failures are roller brake test indicates a binding brake, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki EX250 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki EX250 does around 699 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki EX250 last?
Most Kawasaki EX250 models stay on UK roads for around 18 years based on our analysis of 532 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki EX250?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Kawasaki EX250?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki EX250 is 2012 with a 83.8% pass rate across 142 tests.