Harley Davidson Fat Boy Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Harley Davidson Fat Boy car check
Is the Harley Davidson Fat Boy reliable? We analysed 2,485 real MOT tests across 307 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Harley Davidson Fat Boy? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Harley Davidson Fat Boy is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley Davidson Fat Boy.
Harley Davidson Fat Boy Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Harley Davidson Fat Boy. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Harley Davidson Fat Boy MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Harley Davidson Fat Boy to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Harley Davidson Fat Boy Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Harley Davidson Fat Boy fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Harley Davidson Fat Boy Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Harley Davidson Fat Boy owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Harley Davidson Fat Boy MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Harley Davidson Fat Boy year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 260 | 92.3% | 5,154 | 8,776 | 14,876 |
| 2013 | 105 | 92.4% | 3,728 | 11,387 | 17,468 |
| 2007 | 53 | 94.3% | 9,905 | 15,075 | 25,302 |
| 2006 | 81 | 84.0% | 11,961 | 14,107 | 18,775 |
| 2005 | 59 | 91.5% | 10,064 | 15,925 | 18,485 |
| 2004 | 65 | 93.8% | 5,184 | 11,254 | 14,782 |
| 2001 | 114 | 87.7% | 9,316 | 21,197 | 35,630 |
| 2000 | 76 | 90.8% | 16,639 | 22,386 | 38,806 |
| 1998 | 93 | 88.2% | 9,500 | 14,584 | 21,769 |
| 1997 | 173 | 87.9% | 12,027 | 19,131 | 25,441 |
| 1996 | 248 | 88.7% | 7,701 | 15,108 | 23,989 |
| 1995 | 130 | 93.1% | 12,715 | 21,592 | 37,448 |
| 1994 | 102 | 95.1% | 9,812 | 23,146 | 54,228 |
| 1993 | 195 | 88.2% | 10,861 | 19,582 | 26,666 |
| 1992 | 180 | 91.1% | 11,182 | 17,576 | 31,056 |
| 1991 | 64 | 89.1% | 7,432 | 14,802 | 18,720 |
| 1990 | 93 | 91.4% | 9,194 | 12,847 | 16,497 |
How Long Does a Harley Davidson Fat Boy Last?
Based on 307 Harley Davidson Fat Boy vehicles on UK roads.
Harley Davidson Fat Boy Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Harley Davidson Fat Boy 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 Fat Boy
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.1% MOT pass rate from 102 tests
84.0% MOT pass rate from 81 tests
The best year to buy a used Harley Davidson Fat Boy is 1994, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.1% across 102 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.0% — 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 Fat Boy Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Davidson Fat Boy THIS CAR | 90.4% | 2,485 | 14,692 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 |
| Bentley S2 | 84.9% | 1,066 | 45,658 mi | 66 yrs |
Compared to the Harley Davidson Flstf (90.2% pass rate) and the Harley Davidson XL (89.1% pass rate), the Harley Davidson Fat Boy outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Harley Davidson Fat Boy 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 Fat BoyShould you buy a used Harley Davidson Fat Boy?
The Harley Davidson Fat Boy has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.4% across 2,485 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 Fat Boy are reflector on motorcycle missing (13 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (12), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (9). 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 Fat Boy owner drives around 498 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 Fat Boy 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.