Harley Davidson Fatboy Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Harley Davidson Fatboy car check
Is the Harley Davidson Fatboy reliable? We analysed 1,545 real MOT tests across 131 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Harley Davidson Fatboy? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Harley Davidson Fatboy is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and registration plate characters laid out in an incorrect format. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley Davidson Fatboy.
Harley Davidson Fatboy Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Harley Davidson Fatboy. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Harley Davidson Fatboy MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Harley Davidson Fatboy to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Harley Davidson Fatboy Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Harley Davidson Fatboy fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Harley Davidson Fatboy Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Harley Davidson Fatboy models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Harley Davidson Fatboy Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Harley Davidson Fatboy owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Harley Davidson Fatboy MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Harley Davidson Fatboy year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 86 | 83.7% | 7,269 | 21,146 | 38,985 |
| 2000 | 100 | 87.0% | 12,370 | 17,963 | 23,536 |
| 1997 | 174 | 89.7% | 7,245 | 11,847 | 19,033 |
| 1996 | 281 | 90.0% | 11,644 | 27,500 | 41,386 |
| 1995 | 160 | 89.4% | 8,676 | 11,851 | 25,317 |
| 1994 | 72 | 90.3% | 13,513 | 20,362 | 33,250 |
| 1993 | 117 | 90.6% | 11,873 | 23,506 | 29,642 |
| 1992 | 171 | 89.5% | 22,190 | 31,523 | 38,797 |
| 1991 | 82 | 91.5% | 9,082 | 21,324 | 26,522 |
| 1990 | 52 | 86.5% | 10,609 | 12,830 | 18,043 |
How Long Does a Harley Davidson Fatboy Last?
Based on 131 Harley Davidson Fatboy vehicles on UK roads.
Harley Davidson Fatboy Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Harley Davidson Fatboy 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 Fatboy
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.5% MOT pass rate from 82 tests
83.7% MOT pass rate from 86 tests
The best year to buy a used Harley Davidson Fatboy is 1991, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.5% across 82 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.7% — 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 Fatboy Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Davidson Fatboy THIS CAR | 89.3% | 1,545 | 18,737 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 |
| Ssangyong Korando Ultimate Auto | 87.7% | 2,041 | 24,770 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Harley Davidson Flstf (90.2% pass rate) and the Harley Davidson XL (89.1% pass rate), the Harley Davidson Fatboy sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Harley Davidson Fatboy 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 FatboyShould you buy a used Harley Davidson Fatboy?
The Harley Davidson Fatboy has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.3% across 1,545 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 Fatboy are reflector on motorcycle missing (8 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (8), and registration plate characters laid out in an incorrect format (4). 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 brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Harley Davidson Fatboy 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 Fatboy owner drives around 462 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 Fatboy 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.