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Yamaha TDR250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha TDR250 car check

Is the Yamaha TDR250 reliable? We analysed 3,238 real MOT tests across 528 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,238 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
86.3%
Typical Mileage
21,625mi
Annual Mileage
208mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
38yrs

The Yamaha TDR250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, suspension bush has excessive free play and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha TDR250.

Yamaha TDR250 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha TDR250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha TDR250 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha TDR250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

90.5%
2017
85.1%
2016
85%
2000
89.3%
1992
85.8%
1991
84.1%
1990
85.8%
1989
87.1%
1988

Yamaha TDR250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha TDR250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

reflector on motorcycle missing 34
suspension bush has excessive free play 19
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 17
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 17
Direction indicator not working 17
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 17
Drive chain excessively loose 16
Horn not working 14
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 14
Direction indicators not working 12

Yamaha TDR250 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha TDR250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
66 mi/yr
Typical
208 mi/yr
Average
624 mi/yr
Heavy usage
541 mi/yr

Yamaha TDR250 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha TDR250 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2017 116 90.5% 13,700 18,008 30,377
2016 74 85.1% 14,840 17,970 27,901
2000 60 85.0% 17,455 25,400 27,404
1992 56 89.3% 14,828 22,875 23,641
1991 464 85.8% 13,582 20,024 27,084
1990 446 84.1% 15,304 21,507 27,836
1989 770 85.8% 17,366 25,536 32,258
1988 781 87.1% 15,017 21,041 29,430

How Long Does a Yamaha TDR250 Last?

Based on 528 Yamaha TDR250 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
25.3 years
Median
29.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
38 years

Yamaha TDR250 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha TDR250 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
21,625 mi
75th Percentile
29,167 mi
95th Percentile
41,495 mi
Max Recorded
263,379 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha TDR250

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2017

90.5% MOT pass rate from 116 tests

Year to avoid
1990

84.1% MOT pass rate from 446 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha TDR250 is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.5% across 116 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha TDR250 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha TDR250 THIS CAR 86.3% 3,238 21,625 mi 38 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
Isuzu Trooper 3.1 Diesel Turbo 67.1% 3,104 133,455 mi 32 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha TDR250 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha TDR250?

The Yamaha TDR250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.3% across 3,238 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 TDR250 are reflector on motorcycle missing (34 recorded failures), suspension bush has excessive free play (19), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (17). 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 TDR250 owner drives around 208 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 TDR250 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.

Yamaha TDR250 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha TDR250 reliable?
Based on 3,238 MOT tests, the Yamaha TDR250 has a 86.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha TDR250?
The most common MOT failures are reflector on motorcycle missing, suspension bush has excessive free play, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha TDR250 do per year?
The typical Yamaha TDR250 does around 208 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha TDR250 last?
Most Yamaha TDR250 models stay on UK roads for around 38 years based on our analysis of 528 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha TDR250?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Yamaha TDR250?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha TDR250 is 2017 with a 90.5% pass rate across 116 tests.