Model report · 2005–2025
BSA SUNBEAM
250cc
Petrol
Class 2
95.7%
first-time pass rate
3.6%
failed outright
9,376
median miles at test
140
MOT tests, 2005–2025
What fails on a SUNBEAM
failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
5 | 45.5 |
| brakes |
|
4 | 36.4 |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
1 | 9.1 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
1 | 9.1 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
same type, similar capacity, high test volume
On first-time pass rate the SUNBEAM 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 SUNBEAM.
Pass rate by registration year
how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date
Best year to buy used: 1960 (98.0% pass). Weakest: 1960 (98.0%).
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.