Bsa B44 vs Yamaha XV535

The Bsa B44 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XV535: 90.2% vs 82.7%, a 7.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Bsa B44	Yamaha XV535
First-time pass rate	90.2%	82.7%
Outright fail rate	3.9%	9.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.4 pts	-1.8 pts
Engine size	441cc	535cc
Rank among all models	#884 of 5428	#3029 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,685	15,604
MOT tests analysed	620	48,056
Most common failure	steering and suspension	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.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Bsa B44	Yamaha XV535
Lights & signalling	1.9%	3.8%
Steering & suspension	1.8%	3.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.0%	2.9%
Brakes	0.5%	2.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	1.2%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.8%
Drive system	0.5%	0.0%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Bsa B44	Yamaha XV535
2010	93.5%	82.3%
2011	95.0%	81.8%
2012	90.5%	83.1%
2013	92.2%	81.6%
2014	88.1%	81.2%
2015	89.8%	80.1%
2016	95.7%	84.2%
2017	94.2%	83.9%

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 B44	Yamaha XV535
0k-10k miles	89.8%	88.7%
10k-20k miles	93.1%	83.3%
20k-30k miles	91.4%	79.1%

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

Bsa B44 vs Yamaha XV535 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Bsa B44 or the Yamaha XV535?

The Bsa B44 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XV535: 90.2% vs 82.7%, a 7.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Bsa B44 still comes out ahead: +0.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Bsa B44, -1.8 for the Yamaha XV535. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Bsa B44 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.9% of Bsa B44 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.8%).

What does the Yamaha XV535 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.8% of Yamaha XV535 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Bsa B44 or the Yamaha XV535?

At 20k-30k miles the Bsa B44 passes first time more often: 91.4% for the Bsa B44 vs 79.1% for the Yamaha XV535.

BSA B44 90.2% pass · 620 tests YAMAHA XV535 82.7% pass · 48.1k tests

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