Buell XB9R Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Buell XB9R car check
Is the Buell XB9R reliable? We analysed 3,122 real MOT tests across 352 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Buell XB9R? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Buell XB9R 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 wheel bearings have excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Buell XB9R.
Buell XB9R Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Buell XB9R. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Buell XB9R MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Buell XB9R to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Buell XB9R Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Buell XB9R fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Buell XB9R Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Buell XB9R owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Buell XB9R MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Buell XB9R year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1,419 | 85.2% | 5,216 | 8,532 | 12,900 |
| 2003 | 489 | 85.5% | 5,004 | 8,805 | 14,152 |
| 2002 | 1,170 | 86.6% | 6,286 | 10,682 | 17,192 |
How Long Does a Buell XB9R Last?
Based on 352 Buell XB9R vehicles on UK roads.
Buell XB9R Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Buell XB9R 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 XB9R
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.6% MOT pass rate from 1,170 tests
85.2% MOT pass rate from 1,419 tests
The best year to buy a used Buell XB9R is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.6% across 1,170 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Buell XB9R Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buell XB9R THIS CAR | 85.8% | 3,122 | 9,241 mi | 24 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 |
| Suzuki Sv 650 SK1 | 84.2% | 1,156 | 17,877 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Buell XB12S (87.9% pass rate) and the Buell S1 (87.6% pass rate), the Buell XB9R trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Buell XB9R 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 XB9RShould you buy a used Buell XB9R?
The Buell XB9R has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.8% across 3,122 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 XB9R are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (42 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (36), and wheel bearings have excessive free play (29). 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 XB9R owner drives around 494 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 XB9R models stay on UK roads for around 24 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.