Know Your MOT

MOT failure rate and common problems for the Buell Xb12ss, and how to check your own car by registration.

Updated 05 September 2026.

11.1%fail rate

Buell Xb12ss MOT failure rate

What a Buell Xb12ss fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.

What it fails on, and why

Lamps & electrical18.5% of failures

Lighting is the single most common MOT failure and the cheapest to put right. A blown headlight, brake-light or number-plate bulb, a cracked lens, or a headlamp beam that points too high or low will all fail. Most are a two-minute bulb swap.

Brakes11.1% of failures

Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.

Other11.1% of failures

This covers a range of smaller items, from a non-working horn to a warning light left on.

Tyres9.9% of failures

Tyres fail for tread below the 1.6mm legal limit across the central three-quarters, uneven or exposed-cord wear, or sidewall damage. The tester inspects all four; a single illegal tyre is a fail.

Registration plate7.4% of failures

A missing, damaged, dirty or incorrectly-spaced number plate, or one using the wrong font, will fail. A replacement plate is inexpensive.

Suspension2.5% of failures

Suspension failures usually mean a worn or snapped coil spring, a leaking shock absorber, or play in a lower arm ball joint or bush. The tester checks for corrosion, fractures and excessive movement. A broken front spring is one of the most common failures on higher-mileage cars and is a straightforward replacement.

Failure rate by year

20059.8% fail · 193 tests
200610.0% fail · 209 tests
200712.4% fail · 129 tests
200815.0% fail · 147 tests

The parts that fix each

If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the lamps & electrical failure: Buell Xb12ss headlight and indicator bulbsShop Buell Xb12ss headlight and indicator bulbs on AmazonaffiliateFind Buell Xb12ss headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the brakes failure: Buell Xb12ss brake pads and discsShop Buell Xb12ss brake pads and discs on AmazonaffiliateFind Buell Xb12ss brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the tyres failure: Buell Xb12ss tyresShop Buell Xb12ss tyres on AmazonaffiliateFind Buell Xb12ss tyres on eBayaffiliate
For the registration plate failure: Buell Xb12ss number plateShop Buell Xb12ss number plate on AmazonaffiliateFind Buell Xb12ss number plate on eBayaffiliate
For the suspension failure: Buell Xb12ss suspension springs and shock absorbersShop Buell Xb12ss suspension springs and shock absorbers on AmazonaffiliateFind Buell Xb12ss suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Buell Xb12s MOT failures12.0% failure rateBuell S1 MOT failures12.4% failure rateBuell M2 MOT failures12.0% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Questions and answers

What is the MOT failure rate of the Buell Xb12ss?

It fails 11.1% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 730 tests.

What do these cars fail their MOT on most?

The most common failure area is lamps & electrical, at 18.5% of this model's failures.

Does MOT failure rate change with the year of the car?

Yes. In this model the failure rate ranges from about 9.8% for the best year to 15.0% for the worst.