Harley Davidson 883 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Harley Davidson 883 car check
Is the Harley Davidson 883 reliable? We analysed 2,024 real MOT tests across 247 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Harley Davidson 883? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Harley Davidson 883 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, reflector on motorcycle missing and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley Davidson 883.
Harley Davidson 883 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Harley Davidson 883. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Harley Davidson 883 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Harley Davidson 883 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Harley Davidson 883 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Harley Davidson 883 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Harley Davidson 883 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Harley Davidson 883 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Harley Davidson 883 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Harley Davidson 883 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Harley Davidson 883 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Harley Davidson 883 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 81 | 85.2% | 4,519 | 9,168 | 12,968 |
| 2006 | 68 | 97.1% | 2,672 | 8,104 | 17,645 |
| 2005 | 72 | 86.1% | 4,684 | 8,535 | 13,406 |
| 2003 | 73 | 83.6% | 8,074 | 14,524 | 24,930 |
| 2002 | 62 | 93.5% | 2,182 | 7,317 | 13,844 |
| 1996 | 124 | 87.9% | 11,987 | 14,880 | 23,222 |
| 1995 | 156 | 84.6% | 6,811 | 10,706 | 18,569 |
| 1994 | 89 | 84.3% | 2,957 | 10,111 | 19,718 |
| 1993 | 102 | 84.3% | 8,461 | 14,124 | 25,710 |
| 1992 | 140 | 80.7% | 7,741 | 11,759 | 22,526 |
| 1991 | 120 | 90.0% | 8,112 | 10,175 | 19,918 |
| 1990 | 169 | 84.0% | 3,212 | 9,829 | 19,957 |
| 1989 | 147 | 87.8% | 14,710 | 21,040 | 24,202 |
| 1988 | 82 | 84.1% | 19,048 | 21,341 | 31,332 |
| 1987 | 67 | 88.1% | 4,265 | 11,208 | 17,964 |
How Long Does a Harley Davidson 883 Last?
Based on 247 Harley Davidson 883 vehicles on UK roads.
Harley Davidson 883 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Harley Davidson 883 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Harley Davidson 883
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
97.1% MOT pass rate from 68 tests
80.7% MOT pass rate from 140 tests
The best year to buy a used Harley Davidson 883 is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 97.1% across 68 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Harley Davidson 883 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Davidson 883 THIS CAR | 86.4% | 2,024 | 11,919 mi | 39 yrs |
| Harley Davidson Flstf | 90.2% | 29,205 | 12,821 mi | 36 yrs |
| Harley Davidson XL | 89.1% | 22,811 | 6,150 mi | 13 yrs |
| Harley Davidson Flstc | 90.4% | 18,909 | 18,256 mi | 37 yrs |
| Honda Zoomer | 83.3% | 1,294 | 9,112 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the Harley Davidson Flstf (90.2% pass rate) and the Harley Davidson XL (89.1% pass rate), the Harley Davidson 883 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Harley Davidson 883 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Harley Davidson 883Should you buy a used Harley Davidson 883?
The Harley Davidson 883 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.4% across 2,024 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Harley Davidson 883 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (12 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (10), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (7). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Harley Davidson 883 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Harley Davidson 883 owner drives around 410 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Harley Davidson 883 models stay on UK roads for around 39 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.