Kawasaki KLR250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki KLR250 car check
Is the Kawasaki KLR250 reliable? We analysed 1,453 real MOT tests across 216 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki KLR250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki KLR250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, reflector on motorcycle missing and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki KLR250.
Kawasaki KLR250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki KLR250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki KLR250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki KLR250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki KLR250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki KLR250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki KLR250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki KLR250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki KLR250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki KLR250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 74 | 75.7% | 5,023 | 9,880 | 14,086 |
| 2000 | 95 | 81.1% | 7,386 | 18,627 | 31,484 |
| 1999 | 114 | 79.8% | 4,018 | 12,842 | 20,524 |
| 1998 | 88 | 78.4% | 11,709 | 21,040 | 28,840 |
| 1997 | 68 | 86.8% | 7,050 | 12,279 | 16,276 |
| 1996 | 84 | 82.1% | 11,670 | 18,094 | 25,134 |
| 1995 | 114 | 81.6% | 12,466 | 16,274 | 24,598 |
| 1994 | 150 | 82.0% | 17,273 | 22,647 | 33,321 |
| 1993 | 86 | 79.1% | 10,252 | 15,423 | 22,782 |
| 1992 | 89 | 85.4% | 12,300 | 16,542 | 28,855 |
| 1990 | 75 | 80.0% | 17,945 | 20,923 | 23,614 |
| 1989 | 77 | 76.6% | 12,365 | 16,909 | 22,624 |
| 1988 | 75 | 77.3% | 4,558 | 9,896 | 22,418 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki KLR250 Last?
Based on 216 Kawasaki KLR250 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki KLR250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki KLR250 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 Kawasaki KLR250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.8% MOT pass rate from 68 tests
75.7% MOT pass rate from 74 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki KLR250 is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.8% across 68 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki KLR250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki KLR250 THIS CAR | 80.8% | 1,453 | 16,142 mi | 38 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 |
| Benelli Tnt | 88.6% | 1,426 | 7,201 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki KLR250 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki KLR250 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 KLR250Should you buy a used Kawasaki KLR250?
The Kawasaki KLR250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.8% across 1,453 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 KLR250 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (22 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (21), and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (14). 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 Kawasaki KLR250 owner drives around 328 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 KLR250 models stay on UK roads for around 38 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.