Yamaha YZ250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha YZ250 car check
Is the Yamaha YZ250 reliable? We analysed 457 real MOT tests across 127 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha YZ250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha YZ250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre is unsuitable, reflector on motorcycle missing and wheel bearings have excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha YZ250.
Yamaha YZ250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha YZ250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha YZ250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha YZ250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha YZ250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha YZ250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha YZ250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha YZ250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 50 | 88.0% | 506 | 733 | 1,284 |
How Long Does a Yamaha YZ250 Last?
Based on 127 Yamaha YZ250 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha YZ250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha YZ250 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 YZ250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha YZ250 is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.0% across 50 tests.
How Does the Yamaha YZ250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha YZ250 THIS CAR | 85.3% | 457 | 611 mi | 22 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 |
| Renault Master LL35 B-ness Energy DCI | 76.5% | 489 | 49,584 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha YZ250 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha YZ250 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 YZ250Should you buy a used Yamaha YZ250?
The Yamaha YZ250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.3% across 457 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 YZ250 are tyre is unsuitable (16 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (7), and wheel bearings have excessive free play (6). 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.
In terms of longevity, most Yamaha YZ250 models stay on UK roads for around 22 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.