Yamaha Rd 250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Rd 250 car check
Is the Yamaha Rd 250 reliable? We analysed 757 real MOT tests across 144 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Rd 250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Rd 250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Rd 250.
Yamaha Rd 250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Rd 250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Rd 250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Rd 250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Rd 250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Rd 250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Rd 250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Rd 250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Rd 250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Rd 250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 56 | 85.7% | 26,234 | 31,634 | 46,812 |
| 1980 | 126 | 85.7% | 16,491 | 21,386 | 26,222 |
| 1979 | 100 | 84.0% | 6,093 | 23,315 | 25,672 |
| 1978 | 82 | 89.0% | 10,972 | 18,316 | 25,615 |
| 1977 | 89 | 89.9% | 13,725 | 22,601 | 29,984 |
| 1976 | 57 | 84.2% | 11,963 | 15,312 | 21,322 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Rd 250 Last?
Based on 144 Yamaha Rd 250 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Rd 250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Rd 250 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 Rd 250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.9% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
84.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Rd 250 is 1977, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.9% across 89 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Rd 250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Rd 250 THIS CAR | 87.3% | 757 | 20,384 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 |
| Nissan Juke Enigma Dig-t | 88% | 856 | 24,272 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Rd 250 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Rd 250 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 Rd 250Should you buy a used Yamaha Rd 250?
The Yamaha Rd 250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.3% across 757 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 Rd 250 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (7 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (6), and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (5). 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 Rd 250 owner drives around 127 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 Rd 250 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.