BUELL X1

1200cc Petrol Class 2

#1986 of 5426 overall #6 of 23 BUELLs #1204 of 2787 other bikes

86.7%

first-time pass rate

6.2%

failed outright

12,730

median miles at test

2,424

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The X1's first-time pass rate has risen 6.1 points since 2005, 86.1% to 92.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the X1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage X1 passes first time 87.4% of the time; by 40k that's 90.6%.

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 X1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	92	31	0.6×
steering and suspension	50	16.8	0.5×
brakes	42	14.1	0.3×
tyres and wheels	37	12.5	0.6×
reg plates and vin	23	7.7	1.4×
lamps and reflectors	20	6.7	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	16	5.4	0.8×
body and structure	7	2.4	0.5×
suspension	6	2	0.3×
steering	4	1.3	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 X1 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 X1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2000 (88.5% pass). Weakest: 2002 (83.7%).

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 X1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL X1 reliable?

The BUELL X1 is about average for its class: 86.7% of its 2,424 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1986 of 5426 models.

What does a X1 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed X1 tests.

What is the best year of X1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2000-registered examples do best (88.5%) and 2002 worst (83.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a X1 last?

The median X1 shows 12,730 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 90.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.