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Harley-davidson Flst Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Harley-davidson Flst car check

Is the Harley-davidson Flst reliable? We analysed 1,380 real MOT tests across 134 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,380 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.2%
Typical Mileage
18,892mi
Annual Mileage
424mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
40yrs

The Harley-davidson Flst is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley-davidson Flst.

Harley-davidson Flst Number Plates

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

Harley-davidson Flst MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

87.8%
1998
93%
1997
89.2%
1996
93.2%
1995
89.3%
1993
87.5%
1992
87.5%
1991
91.8%
1990
89.9%
1989
89%
1988
84.2%
1986

Harley-davidson Flst Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Harley-davidson Flst 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
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 6
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 4
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 4
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 3
Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. 3
reflector on motorcycle missing 3
Headlamp aim too low 3
wheel bearings are excessively rough 3

Harley-davidson Flst Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
105 mi/yr
Typical
424 mi/yr
Average
941 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,155 mi/yr

Harley-davidson Flst MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1998 82 87.8% 14,382 18,840 23,949
1997 128 93.0% 4,854 14,862 37,242
1996 158 89.2% 7,672 14,718 22,035
1995 117 93.2% 6,215 10,676 13,244
1993 56 89.3% 7,258 22,282 40,116
1992 112 87.5% 12,458 19,706 33,852
1991 64 87.5% 26,567 33,034 43,924
1990 98 91.8% 11,006 21,552 31,884
1989 138 89.9% 19,247 28,826 38,124
1988 82 89.0% 8,628 25,026 36,090
1986 95 84.2% 16,310 23,164 31,581

How Long Does a Harley-davidson Flst Last?

Based on 134 Harley-davidson Flst vehicles on UK roads.

Average
23.5 years
Median
26.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
40 years

Harley-davidson Flst Mileage Distribution

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

Median
18,892 mi
75th Percentile
31,532 mi
95th Percentile
62,400 mi
Max Recorded
511,342 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Harley-davidson Flst

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

Best year
1995

93.2% MOT pass rate from 117 tests

Year to avoid
1986

84.2% MOT pass rate from 95 tests

The best year to buy a used Harley-davidson Flst is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.2% across 117 tests. The 1986 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.2% — 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 Flst Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Harley-davidson Flst THIS CAR 89.2% 1,380 18,892 mi 40 yrs
Harley-davidson Xlh 883 88.8% 47,203 10,536 mi 38 yrs
Harley-davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport 89.4% 16,429 10,286 mi 29 yrs
Harley-davidson XL53 C 88.6% 15,043 11,058 mi 28 yrs
Yamaha YP1 25R 73.2% 713 12,584 mi 27 yrs

Compared to the Harley-davidson Xlh 883 (88.8% pass rate) and the Harley-davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport (89.4% pass rate), the Harley-davidson Flst sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Harley-davidson Flst?

The Harley-davidson Flst has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.2% across 1,380 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 Flst are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (11 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (6), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (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.

A typical Harley-davidson Flst owner drives around 424 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 Flst models stay on UK roads for around 40 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 Flst — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Harley-davidson Flst reliable?
Based on 1,380 MOT tests, the Harley-davidson Flst has a 89.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Harley-davidson Flst?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Harley-davidson Flst do per year?
The typical Harley-davidson Flst does around 424 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Harley-davidson Flst last?
Most Harley-davidson Flst models stay on UK roads for around 40 years based on our analysis of 134 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Harley-davidson Flst?
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 Flst?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Harley-davidson Flst is 1995 with a 93.2% pass rate across 117 tests.