BUELL M2

1200cc Petrol Class 2

#2050 of 5426 overall #8 of 23 BUELLs #1247 of 2787 other bikes

86.5%

first-time pass rate

6.3%

failed outright

13,398

median miles at test

3,474

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The M2's first-time pass rate has risen 13.2 points since 2005, 78.8% to 92.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the M2's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage M2 passes first time 86.6% of the time; by 40k that's 83.8%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a M2

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	127	31.2	0.6×
brakes	92	22.6	0.5×
steering and suspension	72	17.7	0.6×
tyres and wheels	35	8.6	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	20	4.9	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	20	4.9	0.7×
reg plates and vin	18	4.4	0.8×
tyres	10	2.5	0.4×
suspension	8	2	0.3×
steering	5	1.2	0.3×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the M2 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the M2.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1997 (88.5% pass). Weakest: 1998 (85.4%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

BUELL M2 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL M2 reliable?

The BUELL M2 is about average for its class: 86.5% of its 3,474 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2050 of 5426 models.

What does a M2 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed M2 tests.

What is the best year of M2 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (88.5%) and 1998 worst (85.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a M2 last?

The median M2 shows 13,398 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 83.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.