1989 Yamaha TDR250 0.2L Petrol · G591 HNH

A consistent record of clean MOT passes defines this 1989 Yamaha TDR250, with four consecutive tests dating back to May 2022 returning no advisories, defects, or failures. The most recent assessment on 18 May 2026 confirmed roadworthiness without a single flagged item, maintaining an unbroken pattern that began with the test on 7 May 2022. For a motorcycle approaching four decades of age, this is an unusually clean administrative footprint, suggesting either diligent preparation prior to each test or genuinely sound mechanical condition at the points of inspection. The absence of any recorded corrosion advisories, suspension wear notes, lighting defects, or brake-related items is particularly noteworthy on a machine of this vintage, where age-related deterioration on items such as fork stanchions, wheel bearings, and chassis mounting points is common. Against an age of roughly 37 years, the recorded 17,356 miles equates to an average accumulation of around 469 miles annually, which is exceptionally low even by motorcycle standards. The testing history shows relatively regular biennial MOTs from 2022 onwards without extended gaps, but the underlying mileage trajectory implies significant periods of either storage or very limited seasonal use. Mechanically, this usage profile raises familiar concerns for any low-mileage classic two-stroke: carburettor components, fuel lines, and internal tank surfaces are prone to corrosion and varnish when left standing; piston rings, crank seals, and main bearings suffer from oil-starvation during long lay-ups, particularly on a two-stroke dependent on pre-mix or oil-injection pump delivery; and electrical items such as the regulator/rectifier, CDI unit, and stator windings degrade with age regardless of mileage. Brake calipers, master cylinders, and flexible hoses also tend to seize or perish from disuse rather than wear, meaning the roadworthiness pass on 18 May 2026 reflects condition only at that single point. For a prospective buyer, the priority checks should focus on the items the MOT cannot fully evaluate. Inspect the inside of the fuel tank through the filler cap for rust or sediment, drain the carburettor float bowls to confirm clean fuel and free-flowing jets, and verify that the two-stroke oil injection system or pre-mix ratio is delivering correctly by checking for evidence of seizure or excessive smoke on a cold start. Test the brakes deliberately at low speed to feel for binding, sponginess, or pull, and check that the forks move freely without stanchion scoring by compressing the front end and listening for clicks or catching. The exhaust system, given the age, warrants close visual inspection for rust perforation around the expansion chamber and link pipe, as MOT examiners only assess basic condition rather than internal two-stroke component wear. Finally, treat the clean MOT history as a baseline rather than a guarantee, particularly given the low annual mileage and the two-stroke-specific vulnerabilities that emerge with age rather than use. Listen on a test ride for any top-end rattle, which can indicate worn big-end or piston rings, and observe whether the engine holds a clean idle once warm or requires constant throttle input to stay running. Check that the cooling fan or finned cylinder head shows no signs of recent overheating, that all electrical systems including indicators, headlight, and horn operate reliably, and that the chain and sprockets have adequate adjustment range remaining. The clean administrative record is encouraging, but a thorough physical inspection and ideally a compression test remain essential steps before committing to a purchase of a 37-year-old two-stroke with such limited recorded use.