Yamaha RD250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha RD250 car check
Is the Yamaha RD250 reliable? We analysed 7,788 real MOT tests across 1,776 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha RD250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha RD250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha RD250.
Yamaha RD250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha RD250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha RD250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha RD250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha RD250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha RD250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha RD250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha RD250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha RD250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha RD250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 54 | 90.7% | 12,972 | 24,282 | 45,922 |
| 2018 | 97 | 84.5% | 11,939 | 18,753 | 39,019 |
| 2017 | 142 | 85.9% | 18,277 | 29,213 | 38,694 |
| 2016 | 148 | 89.2% | 13,704 | 25,182 | 36,204 |
| 2015 | 88 | 87.5% | 13,547 | 22,270 | 32,132 |
| 2014 | 79 | 86.1% | 13,731 | 20,078 | 29,444 |
| 2013 | 136 | 92.6% | 15,603 | 27,293 | 36,572 |
| 2011 | 63 | 79.4% | 14,682 | 24,403 | 37,341 |
| 2009 | 55 | 90.9% | 18,112 | 25,270 | 30,640 |
| 2007 | 71 | 94.4% | 19,388 | 30,606 | 35,238 |
| 2006 | 106 | 84.9% | 13,938 | 20,136 | 37,737 |
| 1986 | 62 | 85.5% | 20,521 | 27,023 | 43,949 |
| 1985 | 134 | 87.3% | 10,841 | 21,410 | 25,732 |
| 1984 | 139 | 89.9% | 15,131 | 23,215 | 34,902 |
| 1983 | 304 | 87.5% | 9,146 | 22,106 | 35,618 |
| 1982 | 518 | 90.7% | 15,524 | 25,035 | 36,279 |
| 1981 | 1,423 | 87.6% | 17,373 | 24,129 | 32,798 |
| 1980 | 1,444 | 87.9% | 14,658 | 22,534 | 33,561 |
| 1979 | 661 | 86.7% | 14,121 | 22,373 | 29,326 |
| 1978 | 521 | 87.5% | 13,573 | 20,313 | 27,159 |
How Long Does a Yamaha RD250 Last?
Based on 1,776 Yamaha RD250 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha RD250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha RD250 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 RD250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.4% MOT pass rate from 71 tests
79.4% MOT pass rate from 63 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha RD250 is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.4% across 71 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha RD250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha RD250 THIS CAR | 87.7% | 7,788 | 22,503 mi | 52 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 |
| Toyota Prado | 73.3% | 2,825 | 139,494 mi | 33 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha RD250 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha RD250 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 RD250Should you buy a used Yamaha RD250?
The Yamaha RD250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.7% across 7,788 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 RD250 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (39 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (34), and horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (25). 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 RD250 owner drives around 160 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 RD250 models stay on UK roads for around 52 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.