BUELL S3T

1200cc Petrol Class 2

#2089 of 5426 overall #10 of 23 BUELLs #1277 of 2787 other bikes

86.4%

first-time pass rate

5.3%

failed outright

15,511

median miles at test

338

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the S3T's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage S3T passes first time 82.9% of the time; by 30k that's 94.6%.

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 S3T

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	19	38
brakes	11	22
steering and suspension	11	22
tyres and wheels	3	6
fuel and exhaust	2	4
lamps and reflectors	1	2
reg plates and vin	1	2
suspension	1	2
body and structure	1	2

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the S3T 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 S3T.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1998 (85.9% pass). Weakest: 1997 (85.5%).

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.