Italjet D180LC vs Bsa Bantam

The Bsa Bantam passes its MOT first time more often than the Italjet D180LC: 88.7% vs 83.2%, a 5.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Italjet D180LC	Bsa Bantam
First-time pass rate	83.2%	88.7%
Outright fail rate	11.0%	5.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+10.1 pts	+5.1 pts
Engine size	179cc	175cc
Rank among all models	#2911 of 5428	#1370 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,103	13,193
MOT tests analysed	1,676	7,202
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.

"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	Italjet D180LC	Bsa Bantam
Lights & signalling	6.3%	2.6%
Steering & suspension	3.6%	2.0%
Brakes	2.4%	1.2%
Tyres & wheels	1.7%	1.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.4%	0.5%
Drive system	0%	0.3%

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	Italjet D180LC	Bsa Bantam
2011	83.6%	86.3%
2012	84.1%	87.8%
2013	81.8%	91.8%
2014	87.0%	88.0%
2015	80.8%	89.8%
2016	76.8%	91.6%
2017	78.1%	93.7%
2018	87.5%	89.2%

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	Italjet D180LC	Bsa Bantam
0k-10k miles	85.5%	88.9%
10k-20k miles	81.3%	89.0%
20k-30k miles	83.3%	87.8%
30k-40k miles	83.0%	88.5%

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

Italjet D180LC vs Bsa Bantam FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Italjet D180LC or the Bsa Bantam?

The Bsa Bantam passes its MOT first time more often than the Italjet D180LC: 88.7% vs 83.2%, a 5.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Italjet D180LC still comes out ahead: +10.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Italjet D180LC, +5.1 for the Bsa Bantam. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Italjet D180LC fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.3% of Italjet D180LC MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.6%).

What does the Bsa Bantam fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.6% of Bsa Bantam MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Italjet D180LC or the Bsa Bantam?

At 30k-40k miles the Bsa Bantam passes first time more often: 83.0% for the Italjet D180LC vs 88.5% for the Bsa Bantam.

ITALJET D180LC 83.2% pass · 1,676 tests BSA BANTAM 88.7% pass · 7,202 tests

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