Buell XB 12R Firebolt vs BMW R1150

The Buell XB 12R Firebolt passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150 — 88.8% vs 88.5%, a 0.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Buell XB 12R Firebolt	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	88.8%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	4.8%	6.8%
Median miles at test	7,798	33,151
MOT tests analysed	294	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.

BUELL XB 12R FIREBOLT 88.8% pass · 294 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.