BSA C12

250cc Petrol Class 2

#524 of 5426 overall #25 of 62 BSAs #321 of 2787 other bikes

91.7%

first-time pass rate

4.7%

failed outright

12,950

median miles at test

553

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2012

The C12's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.0 points since 2006, 93.4% to 91.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the C12's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage C12 passes first time 91.4% of the time; by 50k that's 94.4%.

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 C12

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
steering and suspension	20	35.1	0.9×
tyres and wheels	12	21.1	0.7×
lighting and signalling	12	21.1	0.4×
brakes	6	10.5	0.3×
body and structure	3	5.3	1.1×
driving controls	2	3.5	1.5×
Items Not Tested	1	1.8	2.0×
reg plates and vin	1	1.8	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 C12 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 C12.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1956 (94.7% pass). Weakest: 1958 (90.4%).

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 C12 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BSA C12 reliable?

The BSA C12 is more reliable than average for its class: 91.7% of its 553 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #524 of 5426 models.

What does a C12 fail its MOT on most?

steering and suspension — 35% of all defects recorded against failed C12 tests.

What is the best year of C12 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1956-registered examples do best (94.7%) and 1958 worst (90.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a C12 last?

The median C12 shows 12,950 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 94.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.