BUELL XB9S

984cc Petrol Class 2

#2792 of 5426 overall #20 of 23 BUELLs #1762 of 2787 other bikes

83.8%

first-time pass rate

10.1%

failed outright

9,035

median miles at test

1,671

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The XB9S's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.8 points since 2006, 85.8% to 83.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XB9S's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XB9S passes first time 86.3% of the time; by 30k that's 75.5%.

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 XB9S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	103	30	1.1×
steering and suspension	49	14.3	0.7×
reg plates and vin	36	10.5	2.5×
tyres and wheels	35	10.2	0.9×
brakes	34	9.9	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	33	9.6	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	20	5.8	1.4×
body and structure	15	4.4	1.5×
Identification of the vehicle	9	2.6	2.3×
structure and attachments	9	2.6	0.6×

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 XB9S 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 XB9S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (83.9% pass). Weakest: 2002 (81.4%).

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 XB9S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL XB9S reliable?

The BUELL XB9S is about average for its class: 83.8% of its 1,671 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2792 of 5426 models.

What does a XB9S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed XB9S tests.

What is the best year of XB9S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (83.9%) and 2002 worst (81.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XB9S last?

The median XB9S shows 9,035 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 75.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.