Bsa Super Rocket vs Honda Shadow

The Bsa Super Rocket passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda Shadow: 93.6% vs 81.0%, a 12.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Bsa Super Rocket	Honda Shadow
First-time pass rate	93.6%	81.0%
Outright fail rate	1.9%	11.2%
Engine size	650cc	700cc
Rank among all models	#224 of 5428	#3379 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,389	18,246
MOT tests analysed	1,549	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.

What fails, side by side

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

Component	Bsa Super Rocket	Honda Shadow
Lights & signalling	1.3%	4.8%
Brakes	0.3%	3.7%
Steering & suspension	0.6%	3.1%
Tyres & wheels	0.1%	3.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0.3%	0.7%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.9%
Drive system	0.1%	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 Super Rocket	Honda Shadow
2011	93.7%	79.7%
2012	91.9%	81.5%
2013	95.1%	80.4%
2014	92.0%	82.5%
2015	94.6%	79.0%
2016	96.9%	81.9%
2017	94.2%	80.8%
2018	96.7%	80.6%

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 Super Rocket	Honda Shadow
0k-10k miles	93.4%	87.3%
10k-20k miles	93.4%	81.5%
20k-30k miles	90.7%	77.7%
30k-40k miles	96.1%	75.9%
40k-50k miles	93.7%	78.8%
50k-60k miles	95.6%	72.8%

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

Bsa Super Rocket vs Honda Shadow FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Bsa Super Rocket passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda Shadow: 93.6% vs 81.0%, a 12.6-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Bsa Super Rocket fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.3% of Bsa Super Rocket MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.6%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Bsa Super Rocket or the Honda Shadow?

At 50k-60k miles the Bsa Super Rocket passes first time more often: 95.6% for the Bsa Super Rocket vs 72.8% for the Honda Shadow.

BSA SUPER ROCKET 93.6% pass · 1,549 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.