Buell S1w MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 52 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 13.5%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Buell S1w MOT Reliability Overview
The Buell S1w is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 52 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.5% and a failure rate of 13.5%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Buell S1w earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Buell S1w presents for MOT with approximately 17,206 miles on the clock. The 1998 manufacture year performs best with a 85.4% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Buell S1w is Motorcycle brakes, affecting 9.6% of all tests. 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. The second most common issue is Motorcycle lighting and signalling at 5.8%. Motorcycle lamps and reflectors rounds out the top three at 3.8%. 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
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* 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 Brakes | 9.6% | 5 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 7.7% | 4 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 3.8% | 2 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Suspension | 3.8% | 2 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 1.9% | 1 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Tyres | 1.9% | 1 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 1.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 17,206 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 brakes | 5.59 | 9.6% | 5 |
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 4.47 | 7.7% | 4 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 2.24 | 3.8% | 2 |
| Motorcycle suspension | 2.24 | 3.8% | 2 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 1.12 | 1.9% | 1 |
| Motorcycle tyres | 1.12 | 1.9% | 1 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 1.12 | 1.9% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Buell S1w has 17,206 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 S1w has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 7.85% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Buell S1w MOT Data
The Buell S1w is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 52 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.5% and a failure rate of 13.5%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Buell S1w owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle brakes and motorcycle lighting and signalling 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 S1w is likely to perform.
Motorcycle brakes — 9.6% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 9.6% of MOT failures on the Buell S1w. 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).
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 5.8% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 5.8% of MOT failures on the Buell S1w. 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 lamps and reflectors — 3.8% of failures
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors issues account for 3.8% of MOT failures on the Buell S1w. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Buell S1w?
Based on 52 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Buell S1w has an overall pass rate of 86.5% (13.5% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Buell S1w?
The top 3 reasons a Buell S1w fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle brakes (9.6%), 2. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (5.8%), 3. Motorcycle lamps and reflectors (3.8%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Buell S1w reliable?
With a 13.5% MOT failure rate, the S1w is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Buell S1w?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle brakes (9.6%); Motorcycle lighting and signalling (5.8%); Motorcycle lamps and reflectors (3.8%). 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.