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Harley Davidson Custom Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Harley Davidson Custom car check

Is the Harley Davidson Custom reliable? We analysed 978 real MOT tests across 108 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 978 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
86.1%
Typical Mileage
11,993mi
Annual Mileage
518mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
36yrs

The Harley Davidson Custom 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 tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley Davidson Custom.

Harley Davidson Custom Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Harley Davidson Custom. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Harley Davidson Custom MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Harley Davidson Custom to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

82.4%
2000
87%
1996
90.6%
1995
84.8%
1994
85.5%
1993
88.3%
1991
82.5%
1990

Harley Davidson Custom Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Harley Davidson Custom fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 11
reflector on motorcycle missing 6
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 6
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 6
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 6
Registration plate incorrect 5
Direction indicator missing 5
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 5
Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height 4
Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct width 4

Harley Davidson Custom Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Harley Davidson Custom owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
156 mi/yr
Typical
518 mi/yr
Average
1,256 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,234 mi/yr

Harley Davidson Custom MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Harley Davidson Custom year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 74 82.4% 5,594 7,390 11,507
1996 92 87.0% 13,187 25,016 33,498
1995 53 90.6% 14,888 24,522 30,036
1994 99 84.8% 2,670 15,386 26,145
1993 69 85.5% 1,749 4,437 58,350
1991 111 88.3% 2,272 12,076 23,086
1990 63 82.5% 6,568 29,898 32,975

How Long Does a Harley Davidson Custom Last?

Based on 108 Harley Davidson Custom vehicles on UK roads.

Average
23.0 years
Median
24.5 years
Estimated max lifespan
36 years

Harley Davidson Custom Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Harley Davidson Custom MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
11,993 mi
75th Percentile
28,531 mi
95th Percentile
59,061 mi
Max Recorded
316,069 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Harley Davidson Custom

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1995

90.6% MOT pass rate from 53 tests

Year to avoid
2000

82.4% MOT pass rate from 74 tests

The best year to buy a used Harley Davidson Custom is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.6% across 53 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.4% — 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 Custom Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Harley Davidson Custom THIS CAR 86.1% 978 11,993 mi 36 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
Vauxhall Movano L3H2 F3500 ED T D S/s 76.1% 586 42,862 mi — yrs

Compared to the Harley Davidson Flstf (90.2% pass rate) and the Harley Davidson XL (89.1% pass rate), the Harley Davidson Custom trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Harley Davidson Custom?

The Harley Davidson Custom has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.1% across 978 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 Custom are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (11 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (6), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (6). 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.

A typical Harley Davidson Custom owner drives around 518 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 Custom models stay on UK roads for around 36 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.

Harley Davidson Custom — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Harley Davidson Custom reliable?
Based on 978 MOT tests, the Harley Davidson Custom has a 86.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Harley Davidson Custom?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, reflector on motorcycle missing, and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Harley Davidson Custom do per year?
The typical Harley Davidson Custom does around 518 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Harley Davidson Custom last?
Most Harley Davidson Custom models stay on UK roads for around 36 years based on our analysis of 108 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Harley Davidson Custom?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Harley Davidson Custom?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Harley Davidson Custom is 1995 with a 90.6% pass rate across 53 tests.