BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Bsa A10 Super Rocket vs Honda Shadow

The Bsa A10 Super Rocket passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda Shadow: 93.1% vs 81.0%, a 12.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Bsa A10 Super Rocket Honda Shadow
First-time pass rate 93.1% 81.0%
Outright fail rate 1.8% 11.2%
Engine size 650cc 700cc
Rank among all models #279 of 5428 #3379 of 5428
Median miles at test 14,421 18,246
MOT tests analysed 335 6,066
Most common failure lighting and signalling lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Bsa A10 Super Rocket Honda Shadow
2010 84.4% 77.8%
2011 96.8% 79.7%
2012 80.0% 81.5%
2013 93.3% 80.4%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage Bsa A10 Super Rocket Honda Shadow
0k-10k miles 94.5% 87.3%
10k-20k miles 89.2% 81.5%
20k-30k miles 96.8% 77.7%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.