BUELL XB12R

1203cc Petrol Class 2

#2331 of 5426 overall #14 of 23 BUELLs #1460 of 2787 other bikes

85.6%

first-time pass rate

6.9%

failed outright

9,578

median miles at test

3,048

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The XB12R's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.9 points since 2007, 88.9% to 86.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XB12R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XB12R passes first time 86.3% of the time; by 30k that's 84.9%.

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 XB12R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	129	38.1	0.8×
steering and suspension	45	13.3	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	35	10.3	0.5×
brakes	35	10.3	0.2×
tyres and wheels	33	9.7	0.5×
reg plates and vin	25	7.4	1.1×
fuel and exhaust	11	3.2	0.5×
suspension	11	3.2	0.4×
structure and attachments	8	2.4	0.2×
Identification of the vehicle	7	2.1	1.0×

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 XB12R beats 1 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 XB12R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (92.2% pass). Weakest: 2005 (83.2%).

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 XB12R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL XB12R reliable?

The BUELL XB12R is about average for its class: 85.6% of its 3,048 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2331 of 5426 models.

What does a XB12R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 38% of all defects recorded against failed XB12R tests.

What is the best year of XB12R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (92.2%) and 2005 worst (83.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XB12R last?

The median XB12R shows 9,578 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 84.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.