Yamaha TZR250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha TZR250 car check
Is the Yamaha TZR250 reliable? We analysed 3,836 real MOT tests across 802 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha TZR250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha TZR250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, reflector on motorcycle missing and tyre valve stem damaged which could cause sudden tyre deflation. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha TZR250.
Yamaha TZR250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha TZR250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha TZR250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha TZR250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha TZR250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha TZR250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha TZR250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha TZR250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha TZR250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha TZR250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 54 | 88.9% | 9,131 | 14,390 | 16,904 |
| 2016 | 61 | 85.2% | 10,525 | 15,628 | 32,659 |
| 1999 | 117 | 88.9% | 18,149 | 21,039 | 31,596 |
| 1998 | 105 | 85.7% | 12,879 | 17,149 | 21,493 |
| 1997 | 138 | 81.2% | 12,802 | 22,891 | 27,956 |
| 1996 | 176 | 86.4% | 18,100 | 23,225 | 28,500 |
| 1995 | 87 | 86.2% | 16,420 | 28,517 | 34,979 |
| 1994 | 84 | 83.3% | 14,198 | 30,877 | 38,903 |
| 1993 | 86 | 89.5% | 13,546 | 23,477 | 26,493 |
| 1992 | 216 | 92.1% | 11,468 | 18,602 | 22,708 |
| 1991 | 369 | 88.1% | 14,972 | 22,823 | 29,931 |
| 1990 | 350 | 85.1% | 12,244 | 20,570 | 29,442 |
| 1989 | 488 | 87.5% | 14,472 | 21,976 | 30,678 |
| 1988 | 475 | 86.9% | 16,424 | 25,175 | 34,889 |
| 1987 | 404 | 85.4% | 14,666 | 20,416 | 30,082 |
| 1986 | 132 | 93.2% | 12,560 | 22,246 | 37,212 |
How Long Does a Yamaha TZR250 Last?
Based on 802 Yamaha TZR250 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha TZR250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha TZR250 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 TZR250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.2% MOT pass rate from 132 tests
81.2% MOT pass rate from 138 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha TZR250 is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.2% across 132 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha TZR250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha TZR250 THIS CAR | 87.4% | 3,836 | 20,979 mi | 40 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 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace SE Nav TDI | 86.8% | 1,194 | 42,770 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha TZR250 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha TZR250 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 TZR250Should you buy a used Yamaha TZR250?
The Yamaha TZR250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.4% across 3,836 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 TZR250 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (33 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (28), and tyre valve stem damaged which could cause sudden tyre deflation (18). 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 TZR250 owner drives around 196 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 TZR250 models stay on UK roads for around 40 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.