Bsa C12 vs Honda CBF250

The Bsa C12 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF250: 91.7% vs 84.9%, a 6.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Bsa C12	Honda CBF250
First-time pass rate	91.7%	84.9%
Outright fail rate	4.7%	8.1%
Engine size	250cc	249cc
Rank among all models	#524 of 5428	#2516 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,950	10,566
MOT tests analysed	553	7,536
Most common failure	steering and suspension	brakes

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.

What fails, side by side

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

Component	Bsa C12	Honda CBF250
Steering & suspension	2.5%	2.8%
Lights & signalling	1.4%	2.8%
Brakes	1.1%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.4%	2.0%
Drive system	0%	1.6%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.1%

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 C12	Honda CBF250
2007	88.4%	87.8%
2008	91.0%	86.0%
2009	91.0%	85.6%
2010	94.3%	82.3%
2011	88.9%	82.9%
2012	91.4%	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 C12	Honda CBF250
0k-10k miles	91.4%	88.5%
10k-20k miles	96.0%	82.6%
20k-30k miles	88.0%	81.6%
30k-40k miles	91.2%	77.0%
40k-50k miles	88.2%	78.7%
50k-60k miles	94.4%	80.3%

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

Bsa C12 vs Honda CBF250 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Bsa C12 or the Honda CBF250?

The Bsa C12 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF250: 91.7% vs 84.9%, a 6.8-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Bsa C12 fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 2.5% of Bsa C12 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (1.4%).

What does the Honda CBF250 fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 2.8% of Honda CBF250 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Bsa C12 or the Honda CBF250?

At 50k-60k miles the Bsa C12 passes first time more often: 94.4% for the Bsa C12 vs 80.3% for the Honda CBF250.

BSA C12 91.7% pass · 553 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 tests

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