Bsa Rocket Gold Star vs Honda Shadow

The Bsa Rocket Gold Star passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda Shadow: 94.8% vs 81.0%, a 13.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Bsa Rocket Gold Star	Honda Shadow
First-time pass rate	94.8%	81.0%
Outright fail rate	0.8%	11.2%
Engine size	650cc	700cc
Rank among all models	#93 of 5428	#3379 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,340	18,246
MOT tests analysed	633	6,066
Most common failure	brakes	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.

What fails, side by side

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

Component	Bsa Rocket Gold Star	Honda Shadow
Lights & signalling	0.2%	4.8%
Brakes	0.3%	3.7%
Steering & suspension	0.3%	3.1%
Tyres & wheels	0%	3.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.7%
Structure & body	0%	0.9%
Drive system	0%	0.5%

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 Rocket Gold Star	Honda Shadow
2010	93.9%	77.8%
2011	96.6%	79.7%
2012	97.9%	81.5%
2013	95.9%	80.4%
2014	93.5%	82.5%
2015	93.0%	79.0%
2016	90.2%	81.9%
2017	95.7%	80.8%

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 Rocket Gold Star	Honda Shadow
0k-10k miles	94.8%	87.3%
10k-20k miles	100.0%	81.5%

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

Bsa Rocket Gold Star vs Honda Shadow FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Bsa Rocket Gold Star or the Honda Shadow?

The Bsa Rocket Gold Star passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda Shadow: 94.8% vs 81.0%, a 13.8-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Bsa Rocket Gold Star fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 0.3% of Bsa Rocket Gold Star MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.3%).

What does the Honda Shadow fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.8% of Honda Shadow MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.7%).

BSA ROCKET GOLD STAR 94.8% pass · 633 tests HONDA SHADOW 81.0% pass · 6,066 tests

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