Kawasaki KLX250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kawasaki KLX250 car check
Is the Kawasaki KLX250 reliable? We analysed 3,260 real MOT tests across 423 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kawasaki KLX250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kawasaki KLX250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki KLX250.
Kawasaki KLX250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kawasaki KLX250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kawasaki KLX250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kawasaki KLX250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kawasaki KLX250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kawasaki KLX250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kawasaki KLX250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kawasaki KLX250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kawasaki KLX250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki KLX250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 50 | 94.0% | 2,558 | 6,214 | 12,268 |
| 2011 | 158 | 86.7% | 2,810 | 5,190 | 10,313 |
| 2010 | 329 | 86.6% | 2,123 | 4,934 | 8,238 |
| 2009 | 585 | 87.2% | 3,246 | 6,394 | 11,312 |
| 2008 | 51 | 84.3% | 2,542 | 3,379 | 4,862 |
| 2007 | 65 | 80.0% | 12,235 | 18,650 | 27,477 |
| 2004 | 61 | 77.0% | 12,431 | 24,542 | 26,355 |
| 2003 | 83 | 80.7% | 3,368 | 9,347 | 29,713 |
| 2002 | 75 | 72.0% | 15,118 | 20,506 | 43,677 |
| 2001 | 96 | 85.4% | 12,931 | 20,555 | 30,536 |
| 2000 | 209 | 81.8% | 6,467 | 15,889 | 25,206 |
| 1999 | 139 | 84.2% | 8,270 | 12,101 | 20,729 |
| 1998 | 141 | 80.1% | 11,204 | 16,380 | 24,675 |
| 1997 | 235 | 79.6% | 7,614 | 12,722 | 19,824 |
| 1996 | 200 | 78.0% | 6,004 | 10,506 | 18,545 |
| 1995 | 282 | 75.2% | 4,878 | 10,242 | 16,950 |
| 1994 | 158 | 75.9% | 4,937 | 13,654 | 20,910 |
| 1993 | 188 | 79.3% | 3,400 | 12,427 | 18,059 |
How Long Does a Kawasaki KLX250 Last?
Based on 423 Kawasaki KLX250 vehicles on UK roads.
Kawasaki KLX250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki KLX250 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 KLX250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
72.0% MOT pass rate from 75 tests
The best year to buy a used Kawasaki KLX250 is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.0% across 50 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kawasaki KLX250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki KLX250 THIS CAR | 82.5% | 3,260 | 9,382 mi | 33 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 |
| Nissan Micra N-tec | 89.7% | 990 | 48,890 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki KLX250 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Kawasaki KLX250 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 KLX250Should you buy a used Kawasaki KLX250?
The Kawasaki KLX250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.5% across 3,260 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 KLX250 are reflector on motorcycle missing (40 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (36), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (36). 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 KLX250 owner drives around 344 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 KLX250 models stay on UK roads for around 33 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.