Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Buell Xb9r?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Buell Xb9r?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Buell Xb9r?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2004 Buell Xb9r reliable?

Based on MOT data from 157 vehicles, the 2004 Buell Xb9r has a first-time MOT pass rate of 87.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 Buell Xb9r?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Buell Xb9r are: Exhaust noisy (61.5% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (54.1% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (48.9% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Buell Xb9r?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Buell Xb9r (2004)

157 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.1% first-time pass rate

2004 Buell Xb9r

CarHunch analysed 157 real MOT records for the 2004 Buell Xb9r. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2004 BUELL XB9R passes MOT at 87.1%, comfortably above the UK average of 80%, and dangerous defects are rare at just 8.9%—this is a solid reliability picture for a 20-year-old performance bike. With an average of 1.31 failures and 3.6 advisories per vehicle, owners face modest repair costs when issues do arise.

The median mileage of 7,308 is remarkably low for a two-decade-old machine, suggesting these bikes are cherished and kept in garages rather than ridden hard every day. If you're considering one, run a pre-purchase inspection focusing on fuel system integrity and suspension wear—the advisory trend hints at age-related degradation in those areas—and verify service history meticulously, since neglect shows quickly on bikes with this kind of shelf time.

We have limited data for the 2004 Buell Xb9r — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ About 1 in 12 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

87.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

8.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.31

Over 8.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

Middle half: 4k–11k

For context

These stats describe 157 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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What tends to go wrong

Across 157 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 61.5%

Exhaust noisy

Tyre wear 54.1%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 30.4%

Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Lighting 27.4%

Rear reflector on motorcycle missing · Headlamp aim too high

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Suspension & steering 10.4%

Steering headbearing has slight free play · Rear suspension bush has slight free play

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 157 Buell Xb9r cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Buell Xb9r

Based on MOT data from 157 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 8.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Buell Xb9r vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

7,308

typical

4,410

low mileage

11,039

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Buell Xb9r vehicles fall between 4,410 and 11,039 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 4,410 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 4,410–11,039 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Buell Xb9rs sit.

⚠ Over 14,902 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Buell Xb9r — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 65% of 2004 Buell Xb9rs are still active.

39 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 65% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

8.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.31

Avg failures per vehicle

3.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Buell Xb9r: All Xb9r years → Which year to buy? →

2002

Or browse all models: Buell →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Buell Xb9r stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?