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Yamaha WR250F Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha WR250F car check

Is the Yamaha WR250F reliable? We analysed 7,695 real MOT tests across 974 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 7,695 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
82.2%
Typical Mileage
3,111mi
Annual Mileage
308mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
25yrs

The Yamaha WR250F 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 WR250F.

Yamaha WR250F Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha WR250F. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha WR250F MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha WR250F to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

81%
2015
85.3%
2012
88.3%
2011
85.2%
2010
82.7%
2009
81.9%
2008
85.2%
2007
82.5%
2006
80.8%
2005
81.1%
2004
78.6%
2003
82.6%
2002
83.8%
2001

Yamaha WR250F Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha WR250F 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 146
reflector on motorcycle missing 125
Tyre is unsuitable 114
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 94
wheel bearings have excessive free play 68
Horn missing 55
Horn not working 53
Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height 50
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 45

Yamaha WR250F Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha WR250F owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
101 mi/yr
Typical
308 mi/yr
Average
726 mi/yr
Heavy usage
724 mi/yr

Yamaha WR250F MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha WR250F year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2015 84 81.0% 1,064 1,793 3,031
2012 68 85.3% 420 4,079 11,025
2011 111 88.3% 2,238 3,269 5,386
2010 298 85.2% 1,578 2,762 5,988
2009 550 82.7% 2,377 5,111 8,388
2008 786 81.9% 1,152 4,005 6,565
2007 1,270 85.2% 1,888 3,820 6,522
2006 983 82.5% 1,107 3,893 6,178
2005 1,022 80.8% 955 3,169 7,458
2004 830 81.1% 710 1,836 4,250
2003 1,112 78.6% 722 1,778 3,802
2002 235 82.6% 410 1,669 4,717
2001 191 83.8% 128 775 2,510

How Long Does a Yamaha WR250F Last?

Based on 974 Yamaha WR250F vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.6 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
25 years

Yamaha WR250F Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha WR250F MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
3,111 mi
75th Percentile
5,820 mi
95th Percentile
13,028 mi
Max Recorded
222,400 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha WR250F

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

Best year
2011

88.3% MOT pass rate from 111 tests

Year to avoid
2003

78.6% MOT pass rate from 1,112 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha WR250F is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.3% across 111 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha WR250F Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha WR250F THIS CAR 82.2% 7,695 3,111 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
Volvo XC60 R-design T6 Rcharg AWD A 92% 3,171 38,567 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha WR250F trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha WR250F?

The Yamaha WR250F has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.2% across 7,695 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 WR250F are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (146 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (125), and tyre is unsuitable (114). 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 WR250F owner drives around 308 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 WR250F 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 WR250F — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha WR250F reliable?
Based on 7,695 MOT tests, the Yamaha WR250F has a 82.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha WR250F?
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 WR250F do per year?
The typical Yamaha WR250F does around 308 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha WR250F last?
Most Yamaha WR250F models stay on UK roads for around 25 years based on our analysis of 974 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha WR250F?
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 WR250F?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha WR250F is 2011 with a 88.3% pass rate across 111 tests.