Buell S3t MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 250 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 12.4%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Buell S3t MOT Reliability Overview
The Buell S3t is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 250 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.6% and a failure rate of 12.4%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Buell S3t earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Buell S3t presents for MOT with approximately 16,309 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 1998 models achieve the highest pass rate at 87.0%, while 1997 models have the lowest at 84.8%. This 2.2 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Buell S3t is Motorcycle lighting and signalling, affecting 10.4% 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 lamps and reflectors at 2.4%. Motorcycle tyres and wheels rounds out the top three at 2.4%. 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 Lighting And Signalling | 11.6% | 29 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 2.4% | 6 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 2.4% | 6 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Brakes | 1.6% | 4 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Reg Plates And Vin | 1.6% | 4 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 1.2% | 3 |
| 7 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.2% | 3 |
| 8 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 1.2% | 3 |
| 9 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 0.8% | 2 |
| 10 | Motorcycle Body And Structure | 0.4% | 1 |
| 11 | Motorcycle Drive System | 0.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 16,309 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 | 7.11 | 11.6% | 29 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 1.47 | 2.4% | 6 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 1.47 | 2.4% | 6 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 0.98 | 1.6% | 4 |
| Motorcycle reg plates and vin | 0.98 | 1.6% | 4 |
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 0.74 | 1.2% | 3 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.74 | 1.2% | 3 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 0.74 | 1.2% | 3 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 0.49 | 0.8% | 2 |
| Motorcycle body and structure | 0.25 | 0.4% | 1 |
| Motorcycle drive system | 0.25 | 0.4% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Buell S3t has 16,309 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 S3t has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 7.60% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Buell S3t MOT Data
The Buell S3t is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 250 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.6% and a failure rate of 12.4%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Buell S3t 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 lamps and reflectors 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 S3t is likely to perform.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 10.4% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 10.4% of MOT failures on the Buell S3t. 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 — 2.4% of failures
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors issues account for 2.4% of MOT failures on the Buell S3t. 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.
Motorcycle tyres and wheels — 2.4% of failures
Motorcycle tyres and wheels issues account for 2.4% of MOT failures on the Buell S3t. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Buell S3t?
Based on 250 MOT tests in our database, the Buell S3t has an overall pass rate of 87.6% (12.4% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Buell S3t?
The top 3 reasons a Buell S3t fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (10.4%), 2. Motorcycle lamps and reflectors (2.4%), 3. Motorcycle tyres and wheels (2.4%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Buell S3t reliable?
With a 12.4% MOT failure rate, the S3t is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Buell S3t?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle lighting and signalling (10.4%); Motorcycle lamps and reflectors (2.4%); Motorcycle tyres and wheels (2.4%). 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.