BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ BSA/ROCKET GOLD STAR
Model report · 2005–2025

BSA ROCKET GOLD STAR

650cc Petrol Class 2
94.8%
first-time pass rate
0.8%
failed outright
2,340
median miles at test
633
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ROCKET GOLD STAR's first-time pass rate has risen 3.1 points since 2006, 92.6% to 95.7%.

88%94%100%2006: 92.6% pass (54 tests)2007: 94.1% pass (51 tests)2008: 93.0% pass (57 tests)2009: 96.6% pass (58 tests)2010: 93.9% pass (49 tests)2011: 96.6% pass (59 tests)2012: 97.9% pass (48 tests)2013: 95.9% pass (49 tests)2014: 93.5% pass (46 tests)2015: 93.0% pass (43 tests)2016: 90.2% pass (41 tests)2017: 95.7% pass (46 tests)20062017

What fails on a ROCKET GOLD STAR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
brakes
2 28.6 0.1×
steering and suspension
2 28.6 0.1×
driving controls
1 14.3 0.7×
fuel and exhaust
1 14.3 0.2×
lighting and signalling
1 14.3

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 ROCKET GOLD STAR beats 1 of its 1 closest rivals (HONDA SHADOW).

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 ROCKET GOLD STAR.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1961 (98.0% pass). Weakest: 1963 (94.2%).

93%96%99%1961: 98.0% pass (51 tests)1962: 94.9% pass (198 tests)1963: 94.2% pass (240 tests)196119621963

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 ROCKET GOLD STAR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BSA ROCKET GOLD STAR reliable?

The BSA ROCKET GOLD STAR is more reliable than average for its class: 94.8% of its 633 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #92 of 5426 models.

What does a ROCKET GOLD STAR fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 29% of all defects recorded against failed ROCKET GOLD STAR tests.

What is the best year of ROCKET GOLD STAR to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1961-registered examples do best (98.0%) and 1963 worst (94.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.