Bsa Starfire Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Bsa Starfire car check
Is the Bsa Starfire reliable? We analysed 1,174 real MOT tests across 224 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Bsa Starfire? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Bsa Starfire is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering headbearing has excessive free play, wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling and headlamp aim too low. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bsa Starfire.
Bsa Starfire Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Bsa Starfire. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Bsa Starfire MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Bsa Starfire to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Bsa Starfire Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Bsa Starfire fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Bsa Starfire Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Bsa Starfire owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Bsa Starfire MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bsa Starfire year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 77 | 90.9% | 11,778 | 19,459 | 27,502 |
| 1970 | 411 | 89.1% | 2,749 | 10,445 | 19,132 |
| 1969 | 254 | 90.2% | 1,471 | 6,042 | 20,890 |
| 1968 | 234 | 94.9% | 5,848 | 16,207 | 22,786 |
How Long Does a Bsa Starfire Last?
Based on 224 Bsa Starfire vehicles on UK roads.
Bsa Starfire Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Bsa Starfire 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 Starfire
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.9% MOT pass rate from 234 tests
89.1% MOT pass rate from 411 tests
The best year to buy a used Bsa Starfire is 1968, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.9% across 234 tests. The 1970 model year has the lowest pass rate at 89.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Bsa Starfire Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bsa Starfire THIS CAR | 91.5% | 1,174 | 9,488 mi | 58 yrs |
| Bsa A10 | 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 |
| Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI QUATTRO S-a | 97.4% | 886 | 52,256 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Bsa A10 (92.2% pass rate) and the Bsa Bantam (89.9% pass rate), the Bsa Starfire sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Bsa Starfire you like?
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 StarfireShould you buy a used Bsa Starfire?
The Bsa Starfire has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.5% across 1,174 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 Starfire are steering headbearing has excessive free play (7 recorded failures), wheel alignment incorrect which adversely affects the handling (4), and headlamp aim too low (3). 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 Starfire owner drives around 169 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 Starfire models stay on UK roads for around 58 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.