CarVerify

Bsa A10 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Bsa A10 car check

Is the Bsa A10 reliable? We analysed 10,105 real MOT tests across 1,868 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 10,105 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
92.2%
Typical Mileage
12,338mi
Annual Mileage
234mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
74yrs

The Bsa A10 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, horn not working and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bsa A10.

Bsa A10 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Bsa A10. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Bsa A10 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Bsa A10 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

91.5%
2008
94.5%
2007
89.6%
2006
92.1%
2005
90.3%
2003
96.3%
2002
95.6%
2001
90.8%
1999
87.7%
1998
91.3%
1997
88.7%
1996
89.5%
1995
85.2%
1994
86.9%
1993
87.6%
1992
94.1%
1991
90.9%
1990
89.4%
1989
91.9%
1988
86.1%
1987

Bsa A10 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Bsa A10 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 37
Horn not working 35
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 30
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 27
wheel bearings have excessive free play 23
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 20
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam 20
Footrest insecure 18
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 15
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 11

Bsa A10 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Bsa A10 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
65 mi/yr
Typical
234 mi/yr
Average
1,109 mi/yr
Heavy usage
648 mi/yr

Bsa A10 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bsa A10 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2008 59 91.5% 2,653 4,900 6,953
2007 73 94.5% 524 2,774 4,819
2006 77 89.6% 316 2,141 4,221
2005 76 92.1% 984 2,684 18,689
2003 144 90.3% 1,031 5,699 17,378
2002 80 96.3% 1,575 3,477 18,796
2001 91 95.6% 2,076 22,975 33,884
1999 87 90.8% 1,763 4,095 14,944
1998 81 87.7% 10,658 19,172 25,263
1997 69 91.3% 3,163 7,981 16,637
1996 62 88.7% 1,738 6,569 10,569
1995 57 89.5% 1,352 1,859 8,569
1994 81 85.2% 2,883 22,723 45,454
1993 61 86.9% 1,725 3,238 7,638
1992 121 87.6% 3,575 8,754 18,609
1991 68 94.1% 8,117 20,461 30,686
1990 77 90.9% 5,322 22,168 29,062
1989 113 89.4% 4,636 23,889 48,906
1988 99 91.9% 6,041 10,070 44,516
1987 79 86.1% 954 4,588 12,583

How Long Does a Bsa A10 Last?

Based on 1,868 Bsa A10 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
44.8 years
Median
52.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
74 years

Bsa A10 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Bsa A10 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
12,338 mi
75th Percentile
38,888 mi
95th Percentile
73,649 mi
Max Recorded
758,140 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Bsa A10

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2002

96.3% MOT pass rate from 80 tests

Year to avoid
1994

85.2% MOT pass rate from 81 tests

The best year to buy a used Bsa A10 is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.3% across 80 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Bsa A10 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Bsa A10 THIS CAR 92.2% 10,105 12,338 mi 74 yrs
Bsa Bantam 89.9% 7,723 13,212 mi 77 yrs
Bsa C15 90.2% 6,096 14,541 mi 67 yrs
Bsa A65 91.9% 5,147 9,990 mi 64 yrs
Rover Mgf 64.9% 3,427 62,289 mi 55 yrs

Compared to the Bsa Bantam (89.9% pass rate) and the Bsa C15 (90.2% pass rate), the Bsa A10 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Bsa A10?

The Bsa A10 has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.2% across 10,105 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Bsa A10 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (37 recorded failures), horn not working (35), and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (30). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Bsa A10 owner drives around 234 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Bsa A10 models stay on UK roads for around 74 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Bsa A10 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bsa A10 reliable?
Based on 10,105 MOT tests, the Bsa A10 has a 92.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Bsa A10?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, horn not working, and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Bsa A10 do per year?
The typical Bsa A10 does around 234 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Bsa A10 last?
Most Bsa A10 models stay on UK roads for around 74 years based on our analysis of 1,868 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Bsa A10?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Bsa A10?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Bsa A10 is 2002 with a 96.3% pass rate across 80 tests.