BSA 650

650cc Petrol Class 2

#505 of 5426 overall #22 of 62 BSAs #309 of 2787 other bikes

91.8%

first-time pass rate

2.4%

failed outright

7,773

median miles at test

901

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The 650's first-time pass rate has risen 2.4 points since 2006, 89.0% to 91.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 650 passes first time 92.3% of the time; by 40k that's 90.0%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	20	35.7	0.3×
steering and suspension	11	19.6	0.2×
brakes	7	12.5	0.1×
tyres and wheels	4	7.1	0.2×
lamps and reflectors	4	7.1	0.1×
driving controls	3	5.4	1.4×
structure and attachments	2	3.6	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	2	3.6	0.3×
tyres	2	3.6	0.3×
Items Not Tested	1	1.8	1.2×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 650 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 650.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1959 (96.0% pass). Weakest: 1961 (86.3%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

BSA 650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BSA 650 reliable?

The BSA 650 is more reliable than average for its class: 91.8% of its 901 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #505 of 5426 models.

What does a 650 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed 650 tests.

What is the best year of 650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1959-registered examples do best (96.0%) and 1961 worst (86.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 650 last?

The median 650 shows 7,773 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 90.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.