Yamaha DT250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha DT250 car check
Is the Yamaha DT250 reliable? We analysed 792 real MOT tests across 196 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha DT250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha DT250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, direction indicator not working and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha DT250.
Yamaha DT250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha DT250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha DT250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha DT250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha DT250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha DT250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha DT250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha DT250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha DT250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha DT250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 144 | 88.2% | 8,082 | 13,266 | 19,931 |
| 1980 | 58 | 79.3% | 3,540 | 6,903 | 21,721 |
| 1979 | 113 | 86.7% | 7,649 | 10,197 | 18,747 |
| 1978 | 86 | 74.4% | 8,956 | 11,987 | 13,568 |
| 1977 | 100 | 79.0% | 4,637 | 8,166 | 12,485 |
| 1976 | 53 | 90.6% | 6,956 | 13,628 | 18,282 |
How Long Does a Yamaha DT250 Last?
Based on 196 Yamaha DT250 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha DT250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha DT250 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 Yamaha DT250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.6% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
74.4% MOT pass rate from 86 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha DT250 is 1976, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.6% across 53 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha DT250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha DT250 THIS CAR | 82.7% | 792 | 11,179 mi | 50 yrs |
| Yamaha Yzf R1 | 86.5% | 175,313 | 16,232 mi | 28 yrs |
| Yamaha FZS600 | 85% | 157,659 | 22,466 mi | 28 yrs |
| Yamaha XJR1300 | 88.8% | 107,128 | 16,836 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Kuga Titanium 4X4 TDCI | 90.5% | 739 | 77,708 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha DT250 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha DT250 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 Yamaha DT250Should you buy a used Yamaha DT250?
The Yamaha DT250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.7% across 792 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 Yamaha DT250 are reflector on motorcycle missing (13 recorded failures), direction indicator not working (9), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (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 Yamaha DT250 owner drives around 112 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 Yamaha DT250 models stay on UK roads for around 50 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.