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Yamaha WR250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha WR250 car check

Is the Yamaha WR250 reliable? We analysed 1,116 real MOT tests across 140 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,116 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
82.5%
Typical Mileage
3,516mi
Annual Mileage
326mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
25yrs

The Yamaha WR250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, reflector on motorcycle missing and tyre is unsuitable. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha WR250.

Yamaha WR250 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha WR250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha WR250 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha WR250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

81.8%
2010
85%
2009
89.2%
2008
83%
2007
83.6%
2006
83.7%
2004
79.3%
2003
74.5%
2002
81.4%
2001

Yamaha WR250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha WR250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 29
reflector on motorcycle missing 23
Tyre is unsuitable 16
wheel bearings have excessive free play 10
Horn not working 8
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 8
Horn missing 8
Registration plate incorrect 7
Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height 6
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 6

Yamaha WR250 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha WR250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
99 mi/yr
Typical
326 mi/yr
Average
880 mi/yr
Heavy usage
882 mi/yr

Yamaha WR250 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha WR250 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2010 55 81.8% 379 3,206 6,128
2009 113 85.0% 2,653 8,726 16,546
2008 111 89.2% 5,538 8,828 10,883
2007 94 83.0% 1,622 3,492 5,332
2006 55 83.6% 1,298 3,462 7,198
2004 135 83.7% 951 3,044 6,072
2003 179 79.3% 1,351 3,036 6,812
2002 102 74.5% 225 1,466 3,901
2001 97 81.4% 837 1,697 2,603

How Long Does a Yamaha WR250 Last?

Based on 140 Yamaha WR250 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.8 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
25 years

Yamaha WR250 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha WR250 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
3,516 mi
75th Percentile
8,231 mi
95th Percentile
15,540 mi
Max Recorded
41,819 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha WR250

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

Best year
2008

89.2% MOT pass rate from 111 tests

Year to avoid
2002

74.5% MOT pass rate from 102 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha WR250 is 2008, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.2% across 111 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha WR250 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha WR250 THIS CAR 82.5% 1,116 3,516 mi 25 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
BMW C 600 91.7% 616 10,732 mi 14 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha WR250 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha WR250?

The Yamaha WR250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.5% across 1,116 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 WR250 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (29 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (23), and tyre is unsuitable (16). 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 WR250 owner drives around 326 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 WR250 models stay on UK roads for around 25 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 WR250 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha WR250 reliable?
Based on 1,116 MOT tests, the Yamaha WR250 has a 82.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha WR250?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, reflector on motorcycle missing, and tyre is unsuitable. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha WR250 do per year?
The typical Yamaha WR250 does around 326 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha WR250 last?
Most Yamaha WR250 models stay on UK roads for around 25 years based on our analysis of 140 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha WR250?
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 WR250?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha WR250 is 2008 with a 89.2% pass rate across 111 tests.