BSA A65T

650cc Petrol Class 2

#1047 of 5426 overall #48 of 62 BSAs #641 of 2787 other bikes

89.7%

first-time pass rate

2.6%

failed outright

15,857

median miles at test

609

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The A65T's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.8 points since 2006, 100.0% to 90.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the A65T's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage A65T passes first time 91.2% of the time; by 40k that's 88.9%.

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 A65T

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	12	31.6	0.3×
steering and suspension	10	26.3	0.3×
tyres and wheels	4	10.5	0.3×
brakes	4	10.5	0.1×
fuel and exhaust	2	5.3	0.4×
driving controls	2	5.3	1.4×
reg plates and vin	1	2.6	0.3×
sidecar	1	2.6	41.1×
drive system	1	2.6	0.2×
body and structure	1	2.6	0.3×

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 A65T 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 A65T.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1969 (92.1% pass). Weakest: 1967 (80.0%).

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 A65T FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BSA A65T reliable?

The BSA A65T is more reliable than average for its class: 89.7% of its 609 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1047 of 5426 models.

What does a A65T fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed A65T tests.

What is the best year of A65T to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1969-registered examples do best (92.1%) and 1967 worst (80.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a A65T last?

The median A65T shows 15,857 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 88.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.