Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning vs BMW R1150

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning: 88.5% vs 87.7%, a 0.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	87.7%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	4.5%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.2 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	1,203cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#1695 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,128	33,151
MOT tests analysed	555	170,963
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning	BMW R1150
Lights & signalling	2.2%	2.4%
Brakes	0.7%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	0.9%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	0.7%	1.4%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.1%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning	BMW R1150
2011	76.3%	87.3%
2012	81.8%	87.6%
2013	88.7%	87.1%
2014	91.3%	87.5%
2015	88.4%	88.0%
2016	88.9%	87.6%
2017	82.2%	88.2%
2021	93.5%	87.9%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	91.2%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	80.3%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	76.7%	90.1%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning or the BMW R1150?

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning: 88.5% vs 87.7%, a 0.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: +0.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.2% of Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (0.9%).

What does the BMW R1150 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.9% of BMW R1150 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning or the BMW R1150?

At 20k-30k miles the BMW R1150 passes first time more often: 76.7% for the Buell XB 12 SCG Lightning vs 90.1% for the BMW R1150.

BUELL XB 12 SCG LIGHTNING 87.7% pass · 555 tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.