BSA D7

175cc Petrol Class 1

#2306 of 5426 overall #62 of 62 BSAs #1441 of 2787 other bikes

85.7%

first-time pass rate

6.4%

failed outright

14,996

median miles at test

828

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The D7's first-time pass rate has risen 4.7 points since 2006, 82.4% to 87.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the D7's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage D7 passes first time 82.7% of the time; by 30k that's 87.0%.

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 D7

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	61	43.9	1.0×
steering and suspension	28	20.1	0.9×
brakes	16	11.5	0.3×
tyres and wheels	14	10.1	0.7×
drive system	6	4.3	0.8×
body and structure	6	4.3	1.0×
fuel and exhaust	4	2.9	0.5×
driving controls	2	1.4	1.0×
Items Not Tested	2	1.4	2.6×

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 D7 beats 0 of its 1 closest rivals (BSA BANTAM).

BSA BANTAM 88.7% pass · 7,201 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 D7.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1964 (94.9% pass). Weakest: 1960 (83.3%).

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 D7 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BSA D7 reliable?

The BSA D7 is more reliable than average for its class: 85.7% of its 828 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #2306 of 5426 models.

What does a D7 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 44% of all defects recorded against failed D7 tests.

What is the best year of D7 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1964-registered examples do best (94.9%) and 1960 worst (83.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a D7 last?

The median D7 shows 14,996 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 87.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.