BUELL XB12 XT ULYSSES

1203cc Petrol Class 2

#2016 of 5426 overall #7 of 23 BUELLs #1223 of 2787 other bikes

86.6%

first-time pass rate

6.9%

failed outright

14,366

median miles at test

462

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2012–2021

The XB12 XT ULYSSES's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.5 points since 2012, 84.1% to 80.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XB12 XT ULYSSES's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XB12 XT ULYSSES passes first time 92.9% of the time; by 30k that's 80.6%.

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 XB12 XT ULYSSES

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	12	23.5
lighting and signalling	9	17.6
brakes	8	15.7
suspension	7	13.7
steering and suspension	5	9.8
tyres and wheels	4	7.8
steering	2	3.9
structure and attachments	2	3.9
Identification of the vehicle	1	2
tyres	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 XB12 XT ULYSSES 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 XB12 XT ULYSSES.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (87.8% pass). Weakest: 2008 (85.9%).

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.