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Buell 1125 R Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Buell 1125 R car check

Is the Buell 1125 R reliable? We analysed 1,056 real MOT tests across 142 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,056 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
86.5%
Typical Mileage
7,464mi
Annual Mileage
474mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
18yrs

The Buell 1125 R is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, reflector on motorcycle missing and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Buell 1125 R.

Buell 1125 R Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Buell 1125 R. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Buell 1125 R MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Buell 1125 R to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

85.9%
2010
88%
2009
83.7%
2008

Buell 1125 R Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Buell 1125 R fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 12
reflector on motorcycle missing 8
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 5
Direction indicators not working 3
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 3
Horn not working 3

Buell 1125 R Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Buell 1125 R models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 4

Buell 1125 R Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Buell 1125 R owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
152 mi/yr
Typical
474 mi/yr
Average
964 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,170 mi/yr

Buell 1125 R MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Buell 1125 R year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2010 270 85.9% 3,535 6,391 10,918
2009 523 88.0% 3,960 6,375 10,940
2008 258 83.7% 6,518 10,514 17,729

How Long Does a Buell 1125 R Last?

Based on 142 Buell 1125 R vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.0 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
18 years

Buell 1125 R Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Buell 1125 R MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
7,464 mi
75th Percentile
12,768 mi
95th Percentile
23,858 mi
Max Recorded
41,287 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Buell 1125 R

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2009

88.0% MOT pass rate from 523 tests

Year to avoid
2008

83.7% MOT pass rate from 258 tests

The best year to buy a used Buell 1125 R is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.0% across 523 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Buell 1125 R Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Buell 1125 R THIS CAR 86.5% 1,056 7,464 mi 18 yrs
Buell XB12S 87.9% 6,009 8,679 mi 23 yrs
Buell S1 87.6% 4,320 13,292 mi 29 yrs
Buell M2 88% 4,056 13,496 mi 29 yrs
Kia Picanto 1 Air 88.4% 870 43,348 mi — yrs

Compared to the Buell XB12S (87.9% pass rate) and the Buell S1 (87.6% pass rate), the Buell 1125 R trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Buell 1125 R?

The Buell 1125 R has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.5% across 1,056 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Buell 1125 R are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (12 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (8), and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (5). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Buell 1125 R with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Buell 1125 R owner drives around 474 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Buell 1125 R models stay on UK roads for around 18 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Buell 1125 R — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Buell 1125 R reliable?
Based on 1,056 MOT tests, the Buell 1125 R has a 86.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Buell 1125 R?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, reflector on motorcycle missing, and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Buell 1125 R do per year?
The typical Buell 1125 R does around 474 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Buell 1125 R last?
Most Buell 1125 R models stay on UK roads for around 18 years based on our analysis of 142 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Buell 1125 R?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Buell 1125 R?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Buell 1125 R is 2009 with a 88.0% pass rate across 523 tests.