BSA A65 LIGHTNING
Pass rate over time
The A65 LIGHTNING's first-time pass rate has risen 18.9 points since 2011, 78.1% to 97.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage A65 LIGHTNING passes first time 90.3% of the time; by 20k that's 93.5%.
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 LIGHTNING
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
16 | 50 |
| brakes |
|
5 | 15.6 |
| steering and suspension |
|
3 | 9.4 |
| driving controls |
|
3 | 9.4 |
| Items Not Tested |
|
1 | 3.1 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
1 | 3.1 |
| drive system |
|
1 | 3.1 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
1 | 3.1 |
| suspension |
|
1 | 3.1 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the A65 LIGHTNING beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 LIGHTNING.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1968 (90.1% pass). Weakest: 1971 (86.8%).
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.