Harley Davidson Sportster
MotorcycleFrom 623 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning and a stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released. The top issue, a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, caused 9 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely | 9 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 8 |
| a stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released | 7 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 4 |
| brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 4 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint likely to become detached | 3 |
| a tyre fouling another component | 3 |
| joining/attachment plates or fastenings insecure | 3 |
| a rider’s seat missing or insecure | 3 |
| a throttle control not functioning correctly | 3 |
Typical mileage
Half of all Sportsters tested had between 8,504 and 22,580 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 13,958 median miles, the Sportster has 0.089 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Harley Davidson models
Common questions
What is the Harley Davidson Sportster MOT pass rate?
The Harley Davidson Sportster has a 87.6% MOT pass rate based on 623 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Harley Davidson Sportster?
The most common MOT failure on the Harley Davidson Sportster is a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, which caused 9 failures. Other common issues include a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning.
What is the typical mileage of a Harley Davidson Sportster at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Harley Davidson Sportster is 13,958 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 8,504 and 22,580 miles.
MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.