MZ TS150 vs Bsa Bantam

The Bsa Bantam passes its MOT first time more often than the MZ TS150: 88.7% vs 88.0%, a 0.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MZ TS150	Bsa Bantam
First-time pass rate	88.0%	88.7%
Outright fail rate	4.9%	5.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.2 pts	+5.1 pts
Engine size	143cc	175cc
Rank among all models	#1604 of 5428	#1370 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,118	13,193
MOT tests analysed	507	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	MZ TS150	Bsa Bantam
Lights & signalling	3.0%	2.6%
Brakes	1.4%	1.2%
Steering & suspension	0.6%	2.0%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	1.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	0.4%
Structure & body	0%	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	MZ TS150	Bsa Bantam
2010	80.6%	87.7%
2011	88.1%	86.3%
2012	73.2%	87.8%
2013	83.7%	91.8%
2014	84.6%	88.0%
2015	91.9%	89.8%
2016	93.8%	91.6%
2017	100.0%	93.7%

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	MZ TS150	Bsa Bantam
0k-10k miles	90.6%	88.9%
10k-20k miles	85.2%	89.0%
20k-30k miles	89.2%	87.8%
30k-40k miles	88.9%	88.5%

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

MZ TS150 vs Bsa Bantam FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MZ TS150 or the Bsa Bantam?

The Bsa Bantam passes its MOT first time more often than the MZ TS150: 88.7% vs 88.0%, a 0.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the MZ TS150 still comes out ahead: +6.2 points vs comparable bikes for the MZ TS150, +5.1 for the Bsa Bantam. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MZ TS150 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.0% of MZ TS150 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.4%).

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 MZ TS150 or the Bsa Bantam?

They are level: at 30k-40k miles the MZ TS150 passes 88.9% first time and the Bsa Bantam 88.5%.

MZ TS150 88.0% pass · 507 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.