MOT History from tests of petrol HONDA CB250s year 1981

Review the list of common HONDA CB250 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your HONDA then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:76.82%

(The average a petrol HONDA CB250 year 1981 passes without issue)

Based on:3,119 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	133
Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	34
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	27
Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	25
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	24
Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	24
Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	22
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	21
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	21
Registration plate issues	21
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	20
Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	19
Nearside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	19
Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	18
Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	17
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	17
Throttle operating incorrectly \|6.2.1f\|	16
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey \|7.1.1b\|	14
Nearside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	14
Offside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	14
Drive chain worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	13
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	13
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.7.3a\|	13
Rear Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	12
Rear Drive chain sprocket worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	12
Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	12
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.A2b\|	11
Locking device\|s\| not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	11
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling \|2.5.1\|	10
Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. \|2.4.A.3b\|	9
Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	9
Drive chain excessively tight \|6.2.1d\|	9
Front wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.3.3a\|	8
Offside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	8
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	8
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	8
Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	8
Brake locking device missing \|3.2.A1e\|	8
Front Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	7
Front Brake disc\|s\| friction surface contaminated by oil or grease \|3.2.A1k\|	7
Rear Drive chain sprocket carrier worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	7
Locking devices not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	7
Rear Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	7
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	7
Rear Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	7
Rear Locking device\|s\| not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	7
Headlamp insecure \|1.2.3b\|	7
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	7
Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.4.A.2b\|	7
Rear Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	7
Front Floor brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.C2c\|	6
Offside Front Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	6
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	6
Rear Wheel spoke excessively loose \|4.2.1b\|	6
Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	6
Headlamp aim headlamp deteriorated and function impaired \|1.2.3a\|	6
Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	6
Offside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	6
Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	6
Offside Rear Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear Footrest missing \|6.2.1a\|	5
Offside Rear Footrest missing \|6.2.1a\|	5
Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	5
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	5
Front Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	5
Offside Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. \|2.4.A.3b\|	5
Rear Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.4.A.2b\|	5
Rear Brake locking device missing \|3.2.A1e\|	5
Front Roller brake test indicates brake effort rise disproportional to brake lever or pedal effort \|3.3.A1c\|	5
Front Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	5
Drive chain sprocket carrier worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	5
Floor brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.C1b\|	5
Front Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	5
Nearside Rear Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	5
Front Brake fluid reservoir fluid level dangerously low \|3.2.B1d\|	4
Drive chain fouling another component \|6.2.1d\|	4
Rear suspension bush has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	4
Front Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	4
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	4
Nearside Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. \|2.4.A.3b\|	4
Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	4
Rear Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	4
Front Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	4
Horn is not continous or uniform \|1.7.3c\|	4
Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. \|2.3.6c\|	4
Front Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	4
Front wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.3.5b\|	4
Rear Footrest missing \|6.2.1a\|	4
Brake lever cannot be applied smoothly \|3.1.3d\|	4
Front Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	3
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.2\|	3
Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Front Wheel has an excessively distorted bead rim. \|4.2.2\|	3
Offside Rear Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Front Brake fluid reservoir leaking hydraulic fluid \|3.2.B1e\|	3
Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	3
Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock \|2.1.4\|	3
Rear Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	3
Rear Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling \|2.5.1\|	3
Offside Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Rear Brake reaction bracket securing bolt\|s\| loose \|3.2.A1j\|	3
Nearside Handlebar grip insecure to handlebar \|2.2.1 \|d\| \|ii\|\|	3
Nearside Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	3
Rear Brake reaction bracket securing bolt\|s\| missing \|3.2.A1j\|	3
Riders seat insecure \|6.2.1a\|	3
Rear Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Handlebar mounting clamp bolt loose \|2.1.1a\|	3
Front Front mudguard insecure \|2.3.7\|	3
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	3
Rear Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	3
Nearside Rear Drive chain worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	3
All position lamps do not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Front suspension assembly component loose \|2.3.1\|	3
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the steering \|2.5.1\|	3
Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	3
Rear Locking devices not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	3
Rear suspension component excessively corroded. \|2.4.A.1a\|	3
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	3
Rear Direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.5.1c\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator insecure \|1.5.3b\|	3
Front wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.3.5a\|	3
Front Headlamp insecure \|1.2.3b\|	3
Front Front suspension assembly has an insecure fork brace \|2.3.4d\|	3
Front position lamp incorrect colour \|1.1.2a\|	3
Rear suspension movement is excessively stiff \|2.4.A.3b\|	3
Brake pedal insecure \|3.1.2a\|	3
Front suspension has excessive stiffness in the suspension movement. \|2.3.6b\|	3
Rear Brake pedal is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied \|3.1.3c\|	3
Stop lamp affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2\|	3

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	133
Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	34
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	27
Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	25
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	24
Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	24
Horn not working \|1.7.3a\|	22
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	21
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	21
Registration plate issues	21
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	20
Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	19
Nearside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	19
Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies \|1.3.1a\|	18
Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	17
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the wheel raised \|2.2.1b\|	17
Throttle operating incorrectly \|6.2.1f\|	16
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey \|7.1.1b\|	14
Nearside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	14
Offside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	14
Drive chain worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	13
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	13
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.7.3a\|	13
Rear Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	12
Rear Drive chain sprocket worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	12
Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	12
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.A2b\|	11
Locking device\|s\| not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	11
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling \|2.5.1\|	10
Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. \|2.4.A.3b\|	9
Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.4.A.2c\|	9
Drive chain excessively tight \|6.2.1d\|	9
Front wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.3.3a\|	8
Offside Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	8
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	8
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	8
Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	8
Brake locking device missing \|3.2.A1e\|	8
Front Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam \|1.2.2a\|i\|\|	7
Front Brake disc\|s\| friction surface contaminated by oil or grease \|3.2.A1k\|	7
Rear Drive chain sprocket carrier worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	7
Locking devices not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	7
Rear Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort \|3.3.A1d\|	7
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	7
Rear Drive chain excessively loose \|6.2.1d\|	7
Rear Locking device\|s\| not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	7
Headlamp insecure \|1.2.3b\|	7
Steering movement excessively `notchy` with the weight on the lower bearing \|2.2.1a\|	7
Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.4.A.2b\|	7
Rear Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	7
Front Floor brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.C2c\|	6
Offside Front Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	6
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	6
Rear Wheel spoke excessively loose \|4.2.1b\|	6
Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play \|2.2.2\|	6
Headlamp aim headlamp deteriorated and function impaired \|1.2.3a\|	6
Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	6
Offside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. \|2.1.1c\|	6
Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	6
Offside Rear Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear Footrest missing \|6.2.1a\|	5
Offside Rear Footrest missing \|6.2.1a\|	5
Front Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.3.3\|	5
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	5
Front Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	5
Offside Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. \|2.4.A.3b\|	5
Rear Rear wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.4.A.2b\|	5
Rear Brake locking device missing \|3.2.A1e\|	5
Front Roller brake test indicates brake effort rise disproportional to brake lever or pedal effort \|3.3.A1c\|	5
Front Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	5
Drive chain sprocket carrier worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	5
Floor brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. \|3.3.C1b\|	5
Front Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	5
Nearside Rear Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	5
Front Brake fluid reservoir fluid level dangerously low \|3.2.B1d\|	4
Drive chain fouling another component \|6.2.1d\|	4
Rear suspension bush has excessive free play \|2.4.A2a\|i\|\|	4
Front Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	4
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.5.1c\|	4
Nearside Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. \|2.4.A.3b\|	4
Rear Rear reflector on motorcycle missing \|1.4.1\|	4
Rear Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released \|1.3.1e\|	4
Front Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	4
Horn is not continous or uniform \|1.7.3c\|	4
Front suspension has inadequate damping effect. \|2.3.6c\|	4
Front Hydraulic brake control feels spongy \|3.1.4a\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.5.1c\|	4
Front wheel bearings are excessively rough \|2.3.5b\|	4
Rear Footrest missing \|6.2.1a\|	4
Brake lever cannot be applied smoothly \|3.1.3d\|	4
Front Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam \|1.2.2a\|ii\|\|	3
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.2\|	3
Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Front Wheel has an excessively distorted bead rim. \|4.2.2\|	3
Offside Rear Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Front Brake fluid reservoir leaking hydraulic fluid \|3.2.B1e\|	3
Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	3
Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock \|2.1.4\|	3
Rear Roller brake test indicates a binding brake \|3.3.A1a\|	3
Rear Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling \|2.5.1\|	3
Offside Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil \|2.4.A.1c\|	3
Rear Brake reaction bracket securing bolt\|s\| loose \|3.2.A1j\|	3
Nearside Handlebar grip insecure to handlebar \|2.2.1 \|d\| \|ii\|\|	3
Nearside Footrest insecure \|6.2.1a\|	3
Rear Brake reaction bracket securing bolt\|s\| missing \|3.2.A1j\|	3
Riders seat insecure \|6.2.1a\|	3
Rear Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Handlebar mounting clamp bolt loose \|2.1.1a\|	3
Front Front mudguard insecure \|2.3.7\|	3
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel \|3.1.3b\|	3
Rear Roller brake test indicates a sticking brake \|3.3.A1a\|	3
Nearside Rear Drive chain worn to excess \|6.2.1e\|	3
All position lamps do not illuminate immediately when switched on \|1.1.3a\|	3
Front suspension assembly component loose \|2.3.1\|	3
Wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the steering \|2.5.1\|	3
Front wheel bearings have excessive free play \|2.3.5b\|	3
Rear Locking devices not correctly fitted which may make the motor bicycle dangerous to ride \|6.2.1h\|	3
Rear suspension component excessively corroded. \|2.4.A.1a\|	3
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	3
Rear Direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.5.1c\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator insecure \|1.5.3b\|	3
Front wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing \|2.3.5a\|	3
Front Headlamp insecure \|1.2.3b\|	3
Front Front suspension assembly has an insecure fork brace \|2.3.4d\|	3
Front position lamp incorrect colour \|1.1.2a\|	3
Rear suspension movement is excessively stiff \|2.4.A.3b\|	3
Brake pedal insecure \|3.1.2a\|	3
Front suspension has excessive stiffness in the suspension movement. \|2.3.6b\|	3
Rear Brake pedal is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied \|3.1.3c\|	3
Stop lamp affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2\|	3

MOT History from tests of petrol HONDA CB250s year 1981

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