Yamaha Tzr250 (1991)

130 real MOT outcomes analysed • 91% first-time pass rate

1991 Yamaha Tzr250

CarHunch analysed 130 real MOT records for the 1991 Yamaha Tzr250. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1991 Yamaha TZR250 is significantly more reliable than the UK average, with a 91% first-time pass rate compared to 80% nationally—and only 6.2% of examples have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is low enough not to be a serious concern for buyers. These are genuinely well-maintained machines, likely cherished by owners who understand what they've got.

The median mileage of just 18,139 miles tells you these bikes haven't been thrashed; most are genuinely low-use examples, which explains why failures average only 0.57 per vehicle. Before purchasing, run a full MOT history check to confirm the mileage progression is realistic, since bikes this old with suspiciously low miles can hide storage damage or engineering faults that one test won't catch.

Generally reliable 11% above UK average
91%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
18,139
typical mileage
10,471–27,313 middle half
6.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.57
avg MOT failures per car
over 5.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1991 Yamaha Tzr250

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Yamaha Tzr250

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 129 90.9% 0.57
Other (1%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1991 Yamaha Tzr250 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

10,471
low mileage
18,139
typical
27,313
high mileage

Half of all 1991 Yamaha Tzr250 vehicles fall between 10,471 and 27,313 miles.

1991 Yamaha Tzr250 — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 34 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 92% of the peak.

25 34 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

5.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.57
Avg failures per vehicle
1.5
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 Yamaha Tzr250

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 13.1%
    Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 9%
    Rear reflector on motorcycle missing
  • 8.6%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 8.6%
    Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
  • 7.3%
    Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
  • 6.9%
    Headlamp aim too low
  • 6.1%
    Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
  • 5.7%
    Drive chain slightly loose

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Yamaha Tzr250?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Yamaha Tzr250:

1989