BUELL XB12S

1203cc Petrol Class 2

#2146 of 5426 overall #11 of 23 BUELLs #1324 of 2787 other bikes

86.2%

first-time pass rate

6.7%

failed outright

8,538

median miles at test

5,087

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The XB12S's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (91.5% → 90.6%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the XB12S's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XB12S passes first time 87.9% of the time; by 30k that's 78.5%.

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 XB12S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	190	30.7	0.7×
steering and suspension	76	12.3	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	74	12	0.7×
brakes	65	10.5	0.3×
tyres and wheels	57	9.2	0.5×
reg plates and vin	57	9.2	1.2×
body and structure	33	5.3	0.9×
structure and attachments	29	4.7	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	20	3.2	0.5×
suspension	17	2.8	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 XB12S 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 XB12S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (92.9% pass). Weakest: 2005 (81.7%).

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 XB12S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL XB12S reliable?

The BUELL XB12S is about average for its class: 86.2% of its 5,087 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2146 of 5426 models.

What does a XB12S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed XB12S tests.

What is the best year of XB12S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (92.9%) and 2005 worst (81.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XB12S last?

The median XB12S shows 8,538 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 78.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.