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Buell XB9SX Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Buell XB9SX car check

Is the Buell XB9SX reliable? We analysed 2,346 real MOT tests across 279 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,346 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.1%
Typical Mileage
9,392mi
Annual Mileage
493mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
22yrs

The Buell XB9SX 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 XB9SX.

Buell XB9SX Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Buell XB9SX. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Buell XB9SX MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Buell XB9SX to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89.5%
2009
86.2%
2008
86.5%
2007
80.5%
2006
86%
2005
82.6%
2004

Buell XB9SX Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Buell XB9SX fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 36
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 28
reflector on motorcycle missing 22
wheel bearings are excessively rough 18
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 16
wheel bearings have excessive free play 16
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 12
Footrest missing 11
Headlamp aim too high 11

Buell XB9SX Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Buell XB9SX owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
180 mi/yr
Typical
493 mi/yr
Average
875 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,088 mi/yr

Buell XB9SX MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Buell XB9SX year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2009 257 89.5% 4,378 6,470 10,964
2008 188 86.2% 4,742 9,012 14,820
2007 371 86.5% 5,633 7,934 11,974
2006 410 80.5% 6,722 10,942 16,763
2005 763 86.0% 6,111 9,236 13,497
2004 333 82.6% 7,357 11,653 16,753

How Long Does a Buell XB9SX Last?

Based on 279 Buell XB9SX vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.5 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
22 years

Buell XB9SX Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Buell XB9SX MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
9,392 mi
75th Percentile
14,623 mi
95th Percentile
26,803 mi
Max Recorded
46,480 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Buell XB9SX

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

Best year
2009

89.5% MOT pass rate from 257 tests

Year to avoid
2006

80.5% MOT pass rate from 410 tests

The best year to buy a used Buell XB9SX is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.5% across 257 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Buell XB9SX Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Buell XB9SX THIS CAR 85.1% 2,346 9,392 mi 22 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
Porsche GT 3 94% 920 24,029 mi 20 yrs

Compared to the Buell XB12S (87.9% pass rate) and the Buell S1 (87.6% pass rate), the Buell XB9SX trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Buell XB9SX?

The Buell XB9SX has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.1% across 2,346 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 XB9SX are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (36 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (28), and reflector on motorcycle missing (22). 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 XB9SX owner drives around 493 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 XB9SX models stay on UK roads for around 22 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 XB9SX — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Buell XB9SX reliable?
Based on 2,346 MOT tests, the Buell XB9SX has a 85.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Buell XB9SX?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and reflector on motorcycle missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Buell XB9SX do per year?
The typical Buell XB9SX does around 493 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Buell XB9SX last?
Most Buell XB9SX models stay on UK roads for around 22 years based on our analysis of 279 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Buell XB9SX?
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 XB9SX?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Buell XB9SX is 2009 with a 89.5% pass rate across 257 tests.