Buell XB12X Ulysses Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Buell XB12X Ulysses car check
Is the Buell XB12X Ulysses reliable? We analysed 1,915 real MOT tests across 213 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Buell XB12X Ulysses? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Buell XB12X Ulysses is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, wheel bearings have excessive free play and roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Buell XB12X Ulysses.
Buell XB12X Ulysses Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Buell XB12X Ulysses. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Buell XB12X Ulysses MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Buell XB12X Ulysses to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Buell XB12X Ulysses Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Buell XB12X Ulysses fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Buell XB12X Ulysses Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Buell XB12X Ulysses owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Buell XB12X Ulysses MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Buell XB12X Ulysses year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 374 | 88.2% | 7,675 | 12,779 | 19,386 |
| 2007 | 691 | 90.7% | 8,568 | 14,845 | 22,415 |
| 2006 | 344 | 87.5% | 8,520 | 12,525 | 20,667 |
| 2005 | 479 | 88.1% | 11,406 | 16,582 | 24,305 |
How Long Does a Buell XB12X Ulysses Last?
Based on 213 Buell XB12X Ulysses vehicles on UK roads.
Buell XB12X Ulysses Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Buell XB12X Ulysses 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 XB12X Ulysses
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.7% MOT pass rate from 691 tests
87.5% MOT pass rate from 344 tests
The best year to buy a used Buell XB12X Ulysses is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.7% across 691 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Buell XB12X Ulysses Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buell XB12X Ulysses THIS CAR | 89.0% | 1,915 | 14,749 mi | 21 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 |
| Volkswagen Golf S Bluemotion Techn-gy TSI | 94.8% | 1,909 | 62,798 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Buell XB12S (87.9% pass rate) and the Buell S1 (87.6% pass rate), the Buell XB12X Ulysses outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Buell XB12X Ulysses 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 XB12X UlyssesShould you buy a used Buell XB12X Ulysses?
The Buell XB12X Ulysses has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.0% across 1,915 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 XB12X Ulysses are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (11 recorded failures), wheel bearings have excessive free play (10), and roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort (8). 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 XB12X Ulysses owner drives around 870 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 XB12X Ulysses models stay on UK roads for around 21 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.