Buell Lightning MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 98 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 17.3%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Buell Lightning MOT Reliability Overview
The Buell Lightning is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 98 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.7% and a failure rate of 17.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Buell Lightning earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Buell Lightning presents for MOT with approximately 12,124 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Buell Lightning is Motorcycle lighting and signalling, affecting 8.2% of all tests. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. The second most common issue is Motorcycle tyres and wheels at 7.1%. Motorcycle brakes rounds out the top three at 6.1%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 8.2% | 8 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 7.1% | 7 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Brakes | 6.1% | 6 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 3.1% | 3 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 3.1% | 3 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 3.1% | 3 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Reg Plates And Vin | 2.0% | 2 |
| 8 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 1.0% | 1 |
| 9 | Motorcycle Suspension | 1.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 12,124 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 6.73 | 8.2% | 8 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 5.89 | 7.1% | 7 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 5.05 | 6.1% | 6 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 2.52 | 3.1% | 3 |
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 2.52 | 3.1% | 3 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 2.52 | 3.1% | 3 |
| Motorcycle reg plates and vin | 1.68 | 2.0% | 2 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 0.84 | 1.0% | 1 |
| Motorcycle suspension | 0.84 | 1.0% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Buell Lightning has 12,124 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Buell Lightning has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 14.27% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Buell Lightning MOT Data
The Buell Lightning is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 98 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.7% and a failure rate of 17.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Buell Lightning owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle lighting and signalling and motorcycle tyres and wheels for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Lightning is likely to perform.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 8.2% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 8.2% of MOT failures on the Buell Lightning. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Motorcycle tyres and wheels — 7.1% of failures
Motorcycle tyres and wheels issues account for 7.1% of MOT failures on the Buell Lightning. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Motorcycle brakes — 6.1% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 6.1% of MOT failures on the Buell Lightning. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Buell Lightning?
Based on 98 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Buell Lightning has an overall pass rate of 82.7% (17.3% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Buell Lightning?
The top 3 reasons a Buell Lightning fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (8.2%), 2. Motorcycle tyres and wheels (7.1%), 3. Motorcycle brakes (6.1%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Buell Lightning reliable?
With a 17.3% MOT failure rate, the Lightning is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Buell Lightning?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle lighting and signalling (8.2%); Motorcycle tyres and wheels (7.1%); Motorcycle brakes (6.1%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.