Bsa Bantam Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Bsa Bantam car check
Is the Bsa Bantam reliable? We analysed 7,723 real MOT tests across 2,149 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Bsa Bantam? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Bsa Bantam is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bsa Bantam.
Bsa Bantam Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Bsa Bantam. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Bsa Bantam MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Bsa Bantam to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Bsa Bantam Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Bsa Bantam fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Bsa Bantam Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Bsa Bantam owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Bsa Bantam MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bsa Bantam year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 62 | 93.5% | 268 | 6,167 | 24,760 |
| 2005 | 61 | 86.9% | 229 | 10,659 | 14,975 |
| 2004 | 56 | 89.3% | 799 | 15,928 | 26,255 |
| 2003 | 58 | 93.1% | 1,688 | 12,104 | 22,035 |
| 2002 | 111 | 92.8% | 6,408 | 9,612 | 23,649 |
| 2000 | 53 | 96.2% | 589 | 7,457 | 27,006 |
| 1998 | 54 | 90.7% | 703 | 19,549 | 22,074 |
| 1997 | 65 | 87.7% | 1,774 | 13,345 | 27,518 |
| 1995 | 51 | 90.2% | 4,030 | 15,338 | 27,379 |
| 1990 | 78 | 71.8% | 3,653 | 6,645 | 16,416 |
| 1989 | 71 | 93.0% | 6,646 | 9,998 | 12,998 |
| 1984 | 66 | 84.8% | 2,910 | 11,933 | 21,568 |
| 1981 | 58 | 96.6% | 5,116 | 8,566 | 20,087 |
| 1971 | 320 | 90.9% | 7,418 | 12,496 | 19,476 |
| 1970 | 627 | 91.1% | 8,428 | 14,913 | 23,022 |
| 1969 | 579 | 90.5% | 7,296 | 14,014 | 22,138 |
| 1968 | 985 | 89.2% | 5,563 | 14,353 | 21,106 |
| 1967 | 514 | 90.1% | 8,122 | 13,762 | 23,530 |
| 1966 | 490 | 88.8% | 6,903 | 14,967 | 23,146 |
| 1965 | 297 | 88.6% | 9,100 | 15,708 | 25,154 |
How Long Does a Bsa Bantam Last?
Based on 2,149 Bsa Bantam vehicles on UK roads.
Bsa Bantam Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Bsa Bantam MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Bsa Bantam
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.6% MOT pass rate from 58 tests
71.8% MOT pass rate from 78 tests
The best year to buy a used Bsa Bantam is 1981, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.6% across 58 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Bsa Bantam Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bsa Bantam THIS CAR | 89.9% | 7,723 | 13,212 mi | 77 yrs |
| Bsa A10 | 92.2% | 10,105 | 12,338 mi | 74 yrs |
| Bsa C15 | 90.2% | 6,096 | 14,541 mi | 67 yrs |
| Bsa A65 | 91.9% | 5,147 | 9,990 mi | 64 yrs |
| Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K5 | 87% | 7,712 | 15,437 mi | 21 yrs |
Compared to the Bsa A10 (92.2% pass rate) and the Bsa C15 (90.2% pass rate), the Bsa Bantam trails behind on MOT reliability.
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Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Bsa BantamShould you buy a used Bsa Bantam?
The Bsa Bantam has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.9% across 7,723 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 Bantam are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (55 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (51), and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (42). 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 Bantam owner drives around 75 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 Bantam models stay on UK roads for around 77 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.