Buell XB9S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Buell XB9S car check
Is the Buell XB9S reliable? We analysed 1,962 real MOT tests across 220 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Buell XB9S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Buell XB9S 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 stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Buell XB9S.
Buell XB9S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Buell XB9S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Buell XB9S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Buell XB9S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Buell XB9S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Buell XB9S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Buell XB9S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Buell XB9S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Buell XB9S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Buell XB9S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 440 | 85.7% | 5,340 | 7,896 | 12,290 |
| 2003 | 1,305 | 86.0% | 6,334 | 9,764 | 16,483 |
| 2002 | 158 | 82.9% | 7,399 | 11,908 | 15,346 |
How Long Does a Buell XB9S Last?
Based on 220 Buell XB9S vehicles on UK roads.
Buell XB9S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Buell XB9S 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 XB9S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.0% MOT pass rate from 1,305 tests
82.9% MOT pass rate from 158 tests
The best year to buy a used Buell XB9S is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.0% across 1,305 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Buell XB9S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buell XB9S THIS CAR | 85.8% | 1,962 | 9,426 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 |
| Peugeot 208 Access Plus | 92.5% | 1,994 | 48,803 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Buell XB12S (87.9% pass rate) and the Buell S1 (87.6% pass rate), the Buell XB9S trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Buell XB9S 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 XB9SShould you buy a used Buell XB9S?
The Buell XB9S has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.8% across 1,962 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 XB9S are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (31 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (30), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (17). 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 XB9S owner drives around 497 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 XB9S 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.