BSA A65

650cc Petrol Class 2

#704 of 5426 overall #33 of 62 BSAs #429 of 2787 other bikes

90.9%

first-time pass rate

3.9%

failed outright

10,198

median miles at test

5,064

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2019

The A65's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2005 (90.0% → 89.1%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the A65's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage A65 passes first time 90.6% of the time; by 50k that's 93.2%.

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 A65

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	147	35.7	0.5×
steering and suspension	90	21.8	0.4×
brakes	68	16.5	0.2×
tyres and wheels	46	11.2	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	17	4.1	0.4×
driving controls	16	3.9	1.3×
reg plates and vin	9	2.2	0.2×
body and structure	8	1.9	0.2×
drive system	8	1.9	0.2×
steering	3	0.7	0.1×

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 A65 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 A65.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1969 (92.8% pass). Weakest: 1966 (88.0%).

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 A65 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BSA A65 reliable?

The BSA A65 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.9% of its 5,064 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #704 of 5426 models.

What does a A65 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed A65 tests.

What is the best year of A65 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1969-registered examples do best (92.8%) and 1966 worst (88.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a A65 last?

The median A65 shows 10,198 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 93.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.