Harley-Davidson common problems and MOT failures
From 45,779 MOT tests in 2024, 8.6% of Harley-Davidson vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Harley-Davidson MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 288 |
| 2 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 200 |
| 3 | reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear | 181 |
| 4 | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 158 |
| 5 | direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 139 |
| 6 | stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released | 126 |
| 7 | brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm | 120 |
| 8 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 112 |
| 9 | stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released | 101 |
| 10 | rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 101 |
What this means if you're buying a Harley-Davidson
The single most common MOT failure for Harley-Davidson is number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, accounting for 19% of all failure items.
These figures are from real MOT inspections. They show what testers actually find wrong with Harley-Davidson vehicles. If you're viewing a used Harley-Davidson, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Harley-Davidson models by MOT pass rate
Lowest pass rates first. These models have the most testable issues.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 883 | 231 | 84.8% |
| Fxstb | 294 | 85.7% |
| Fxr | 321 | 86.3% |
| Xl883 | 715 | 86.4% |
| Xlh1200 | 636 | 86.9% |
| Fat Boy | 290 | 86.9% |
| Xl 883L Sportster | 293 | 87% |
| Xl883C | 334 | 87.1% |
| Xl 883R | 311 | 87.1% |
| Xl53 C | 713 | 87.2% |
| Iron 883 Xl N 13 | 203 | 87.2% |
| Fat Bob Fxdf 103 1690 17 | 228 | 87.3% |
| Xlh 883 | 2,396 | 87.4% |
| Fxdwg | 470 | 87.4% |
| Sportster | 623 | 87.6% |
Buying a specific Harley-Davidson? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK