BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Bsa Shooting Star/vs Yamaha FZS600
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Bsa Shooting Star vs Yamaha FZS600

The Bsa Shooting Star passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 93.3% vs 82.6%, a 10.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Bsa Shooting Star Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate 93.3% 82.6%
Outright fail rate 3.4% 10.6%
Engine size 500cc 599cc
Rank among all models #252 of 5428 #3052 of 5428
Median miles at test 11,743 21,612
MOT tests analysed 668 136,558
Most common failure lighting and signalling 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 Shooting Star Yamaha FZS600
Brakes 1.2% 4.5%
Lights & signalling 1.5% 3.4%
Steering & suspension 1.3% 2.7%
Tyres & wheels 0.7% 2.9%
Fuel & exhaust 0.4% 1.1%
Drive system 0.4% 0.9%
Structure & body 0% 1.1%

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 Shooting Star Yamaha FZS600
2010 95.3% 82.0%
2011 92.1% 81.1%
2012 92.6% 80.2%
2013 100.0% 81.3%
2014 91.9% 81.2%
2015 92.9% 81.1%
2016 90.0% 82.2%
2017 100.0% 82.0%

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 Shooting Star Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles 92.7% 89.6%
10k-20k miles 96.0% 85.5%
20k-30k miles 92.9% 81.4%
30k-40k miles 88.0% 78.7%
40k-50k miles 88.9% 76.8%

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

Bsa Shooting Star vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Bsa Shooting Star or the Yamaha FZS600?

The Bsa Shooting Star passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 93.3% vs 82.6%, a 10.7-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Bsa Shooting Star fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.5% of Bsa Shooting Star MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.3%).

What does the Yamaha FZS600 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.5% of Yamaha FZS600 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Bsa Shooting Star or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 40k-50k miles the Bsa Shooting Star passes first time more often: 88.9% for the Bsa Shooting Star vs 76.8% for the Yamaha FZS600.

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