BUELL S1

1200cc Petrol Class 2

#2172 of 5426 overall #12 of 23 BUELLs #1342 of 2787 other bikes

86.1%

first-time pass rate

6.4%

failed outright

13,063

median miles at test

3,738

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The S1's first-time pass rate has risen 3.4 points since 2005, 89.4% to 92.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the S1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage S1 passes first time 86.2% of the time; by 40k that's 84.1%.

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 S1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	187	35.6	0.8×
brakes	81	15.4	0.4×
steering and suspension	53	10.1	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	52	9.9	0.5×
reg plates and vin	46	8.8	1.7×
tyres and wheels	35	6.7	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	29	5.5	0.8×
body and structure	20	3.8	0.8×
structure and attachments	11	2.1	0.4×
drive system	11	2.1	0.4×

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 S1 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 S1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2001 (89.1% pass). Weakest: 1997 (82.2%).

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 S1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL S1 reliable?

The BUELL S1 is about average for its class: 86.1% of its 3,738 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2172 of 5426 models.

What does a S1 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed S1 tests.

What is the best year of S1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2001-registered examples do best (89.1%) and 1997 worst (82.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a S1 last?

The median S1 shows 13,063 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 84.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.