BUELL XB9R

984cc Petrol Class 2

#2820 of 5426 overall #21 of 23 BUELLs #1779 of 2787 other bikes

83.7%

first-time pass rate

9.2%

failed outright

8,980

median miles at test

2,610

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The XB9R's first-time pass rate has risen 3.7 points since 2006, 87.2% to 90.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XB9R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XB9R passes first time 85.8% of the time; by 30k that's 83.0%.

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 XB9R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	132	29.1	1.0×
steering and suspension	95	20.9	0.9×
brakes	65	14.3	0.6×
tyres and wheels	50	11	0.9×
reg plates and vin	37	8.1	1.7×
lamps and reflectors	32	7	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	25	5.5	1.1×
suspension	8	1.8	0.4×
structure and attachments	5	1.1	0.3×
tyres	5	1.1	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 XB9R 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 XB9R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2002 (84.6% pass). Weakest: 2003 (82.8%).

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 XB9R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL XB9R reliable?

The BUELL XB9R is about average for its class: 83.7% of its 2,610 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2820 of 5426 models.

What does a XB9R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 29% of all defects recorded against failed XB9R tests.

What is the best year of XB9R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2002-registered examples do best (84.6%) and 2003 worst (82.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XB9R last?

The median XB9R shows 8,980 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 83.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.