Yamaha YP250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha YP250 car check
Is the Yamaha YP250 reliable? We analysed 14,581 real MOT tests across 1,476 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha YP250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha YP250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha YP250.
Yamaha YP250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha YP250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha YP250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha YP250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha YP250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha YP250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha YP250 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha YP250 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Yamaha YP250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha YP250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha YP250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha YP250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 59 | 89.8% | 5,448 | 8,882 | 13,432 |
| 2015 | 167 | 85.6% | 6,734 | 15,174 | 21,596 |
| 2014 | 1,308 | 87.2% | 6,304 | 11,714 | 20,226 |
| 2013 | 544 | 87.1% | 6,716 | 13,299 | 21,827 |
| 2012 | 144 | 84.0% | 6,643 | 10,747 | 15,902 |
| 2011 | 119 | 82.4% | 8,382 | 17,446 | 24,891 |
| 2010 | 231 | 83.1% | 6,840 | 12,557 | 20,717 |
| 2009 | 358 | 84.4% | 6,545 | 11,556 | 17,588 |
| 2008 | 419 | 87.8% | 5,400 | 10,689 | 18,970 |
| 2007 | 262 | 86.6% | 5,654 | 10,216 | 15,249 |
| 2006 | 321 | 86.3% | 5,196 | 11,187 | 17,723 |
| 2005 | 141 | 87.9% | 7,719 | 12,060 | 23,384 |
| 2004 | 69 | 78.3% | 9,751 | 15,145 | 20,904 |
| 2003 | 462 | 86.1% | 6,614 | 11,043 | 19,458 |
| 2002 | 999 | 87.9% | 8,663 | 14,222 | 22,265 |
| 2001 | 1,029 | 87.0% | 9,006 | 15,641 | 22,037 |
| 2000 | 2,513 | 84.8% | 11,084 | 17,953 | 25,895 |
| 1999 | 1,693 | 83.6% | 11,126 | 18,556 | 26,374 |
| 1998 | 1,808 | 84.1% | 12,115 | 18,187 | 27,968 |
| 1997 | 1,411 | 82.3% | 13,051 | 19,780 | 28,303 |
How Long Does a Yamaha YP250 Last?
Based on 1,476 Yamaha YP250 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha YP250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha YP250 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 YP250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.8% MOT pass rate from 59 tests
78.3% MOT pass rate from 69 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha YP250 is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.8% across 59 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha YP250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha YP250 THIS CAR | 85.0% | 14,581 | 16,024 mi | 30 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 |
| Citroen C3 Aircross Shine Puretech S/s | 91.8% | 6,004 | 22,345 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha YP250 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha YP250 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 YP250Should you buy a used Yamaha YP250?
The Yamaha YP250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.0% across 14,581 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 YP250 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (291 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (178), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (160). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha YP250 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Yamaha YP250 owner drives around 844 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 YP250 models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.