Buell XB12S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Buell XB12S car check
Is the Buell XB12S reliable? We analysed 6,009 real MOT tests across 747 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Buell XB12S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Buell XB12S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Buell XB12S.
Buell XB12S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Buell XB12S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Buell XB12S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Buell XB12S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Buell XB12S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Buell XB12S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Buell XB12S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Buell XB12S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Buell XB12S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Buell XB12S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 104 | 91.3% | 2,277 | 4,496 | 6,526 |
| 2009 | 551 | 93.5% | 3,836 | 6,045 | 9,549 |
| 2008 | 717 | 89.0% | 4,052 | 6,603 | 11,082 |
| 2007 | 828 | 86.4% | 5,330 | 8,514 | 14,097 |
| 2006 | 691 | 87.3% | 6,499 | 10,382 | 17,785 |
| 2005 | 949 | 84.5% | 6,236 | 10,158 | 15,069 |
| 2004 | 1,391 | 88.1% | 5,558 | 9,467 | 14,316 |
| 2003 | 746 | 88.3% | 6,955 | 9,962 | 15,774 |
How Long Does a Buell XB12S Last?
Based on 747 Buell XB12S vehicles on UK roads.
Buell XB12S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Buell XB12S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Buell XB12S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.5% MOT pass rate from 551 tests
84.5% MOT pass rate from 949 tests
The best year to buy a used Buell XB12S is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.5% across 551 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Buell XB12S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buell XB12S THIS CAR | 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 |
| Buell XB12R | 87.5% | 3,611 | 9,752 mi | 23 yrs |
| Fiat Ducato Motorhome | 77.7% | 11,545 | 37,221 mi | 34 yrs |
Compared to the Buell S1 (87.6% pass rate) and the Buell M2 (88.0% pass rate), the Buell XB12S sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Buell XB12S you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Buell XB12SShould you buy a used Buell XB12S?
The Buell XB12S has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.9% across 6,009 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 XB12S are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (52 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (51), and reflector on motorcycle missing (44). 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.
A typical Buell XB12S owner drives around 449 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 XB12S models stay on UK roads for around 23 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.