Buell XB9S vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell XB9S: 92.9% vs 83.8%, a 9.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Buell XB9S	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	83.8%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	10.1%	3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-3.0 pts	+8.6 pts
Engine size	984cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#2791 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,035	20,069
MOT tests analysed	1,671	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.

"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 XB9S	BMW R1200
Lights & signalling	5.4%	0.9%
Steering & suspension	2.8%	0.7%
Brakes	1.5%	1.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.9%	1.0%
Structure & body	1.1%	0.1%
Fuel & exhaust	1.1%	0.0%
Drive system	0.2%	0%

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 XB9S	BMW R1200
2018	78.9%	93.0%
2019	82.8%	93.6%
2020	90.9%	94.0%
2021	82.0%	93.9%
2022	79.0%	93.8%
2023	82.1%	94.1%
2024	97.3%	94.0%
2025	83.0%	94.2%

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 XB9S	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	86.3%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	82.7%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	74.6%	92.8%
30k-40k miles	75.5%	91.9%

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

Buell XB9S vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Buell XB9S or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell XB9S: 92.9% vs 83.8%, a 9.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1200 still comes out ahead: -3.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Buell XB9S, +8.6 for the BMW R1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Buell XB9S fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.4% of Buell XB9S MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.8%).

What does the BMW R1200 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.5% of BMW R1200 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Buell XB9S or the BMW R1200?

At 30k-40k miles the BMW R1200 passes first time more often: 75.5% for the Buell XB9S vs 91.9% for the BMW R1200.

BUELL XB9S 83.8% pass · 1,671 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.