Bsa A65l MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 409 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 8.8%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Bsa A65l MOT Reliability Overview
The Bsa A65l is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 409 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 6 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.2% and a failure rate of 8.8%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Bsa A65l earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Bsa A65l presents for MOT with approximately 16,506 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 1971 models achieve the highest pass rate at 94.4%, while 1972 models have the lowest at 82.2%. This 12.2 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Bsa A65l is Motorcycle lighting and signalling, affecting 6.4% of all tests. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. The second most common issue is Motorcycle brakes at 2.0%. Motorcycle steering and suspension rounds out the top three at 2.0%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 6.6% | 27 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 2.2% | 9 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Brakes | 2.0% | 8 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Drive System | 1.5% | 6 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 1.0% | 4 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Reg Plates And Vin | 0.7% | 3 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Body And Structure | 0.7% | 3 |
| 8 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 0.7% | 3 |
| 9 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 0.5% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 16,506 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 4.00 | 6.6% | 27 |
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 1.33 | 2.2% | 9 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 1.19 | 2.0% | 8 |
| Motorcycle drive system | 0.89 | 1.5% | 6 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 0.59 | 1.0% | 4 |
| Motorcycle reg plates and vin | 0.44 | 0.7% | 3 |
| Motorcycle body and structure | 0.44 | 0.7% | 3 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 0.44 | 0.7% | 3 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 0.30 | 0.5% | 2 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Bsa A65l has 16,506 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Bsa A65l has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 5.33% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Bsa A65l MOT Data
The Bsa A65l is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 409 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 6 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.2% and a failure rate of 8.8%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Bsa A65l owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle lighting and signalling and motorcycle brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific A65l is likely to perform.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 6.4% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 6.4% of MOT failures on the Bsa A65l. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Motorcycle brakes — 2.0% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 2.0% of MOT failures on the Bsa A65l. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Motorcycle steering and suspension — 2.0% of failures
Motorcycle steering and suspension issues account for 2.0% of MOT failures on the Bsa A65l. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Bsa A65l?
Based on 409 MOT tests in our database, the Bsa A65l has an overall pass rate of 91.2% (8.8% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Bsa A65l?
The top 3 reasons a Bsa A65l fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (6.4%), 2. Motorcycle brakes (2.0%), 3. Motorcycle steering and suspension (2.0%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Bsa A65l reliable?
With a 8.8% MOT failure rate, the A65l is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Bsa A65l?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle lighting and signalling (6.4%); Motorcycle brakes (2.0%); Motorcycle steering and suspension (2.0%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.