BUELL XB12X

1203cc Petrol Class 2

#2467 of 5426 overall #16 of 23 BUELLs #1543 of 2787 other bikes

85.1%

first-time pass rate

7.1%

failed outright

14,654

median miles at test

510

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2017

The XB12X's first-time pass rate has risen 8.0 points since 2010, 82.9% to 90.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XB12X's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XB12X passes first time 88.6% of the time; by 30k that's 86.5%.

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 XB12X

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	14	22.6	0.6×
lighting and signalling	12	19.4	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	12	19.4	1.1×
tyres and wheels	8	12.9	0.7×
steering and suspension	8	12.9	0.4×
suspension	4	6.5	1.1×
structure and attachments	2	3.2	0.6×
driving controls	1	1.6	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	1	1.6	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 XB12X 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 XB12X.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (88.6% pass). Weakest: 2006 (78.4%).

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 XB12X FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL XB12X reliable?

The BUELL XB12X is about average for its class: 85.1% of its 510 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2467 of 5426 models.

What does a XB12X fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 23% of all defects recorded against failed XB12X tests.

What is the best year of XB12X to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (88.6%) and 2006 worst (78.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XB12X last?

The median XB12X shows 14,654 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 86.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.