Buell XB12R vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell XB12R — 92.9% vs 85.6%, a 7.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Buell XB12R	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	85.6%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	6.9%	3.7%
Median miles at test	9,578	20,069
MOT tests analysed	3,048	299,381
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 XB12R 85.6% pass · 3,048 tests BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests

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