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

Free Harley-davidson Fxe car check

Is the Harley-davidson Fxe reliable? We analysed 907 real MOT tests across 123 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 907 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.4%
Typical Mileage
11,297mi
Annual Mileage
524mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
51yrs

The Harley-davidson Fxe 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 direction indicator missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley-davidson Fxe.

Harley-davidson Fxe Number Plates

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

Harley-davidson Fxe MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

80.8%
1992
90.5%
1991
81.7%
1982
85.2%
1981
91.4%
1980
98.1%
1979
96.2%
1976
93.2%
1975

Harley-davidson Fxe Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

reflector on motorcycle missing 10
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 6
Direction indicator missing 4
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 4
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 4
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 3
Brake disc(s) friction surface contaminated by oil or grease 3
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 3
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside 3
Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height 3

Harley-davidson Fxe Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
144 mi/yr
Typical
524 mi/yr
Average
1,110 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,283 mi/yr

Harley-davidson Fxe MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1992 52 80.8% 4,177 4,611 9,230
1991 74 90.5% 3,955 8,406 19,557
1982 60 81.7% 5,923 10,790 36,893
1981 61 85.2% 3,506 21,752 28,390
1980 81 91.4% 5,503 15,080 22,662
1979 53 98.1% 8,822 12,922 17,457
1976 53 96.2% 5,456 10,466 23,426
1975 73 93.2% 5,642 13,122 28,188

How Long Does a Harley-davidson Fxe Last?

Based on 123 Harley-davidson Fxe vehicles on UK roads.

Average
29.3 years
Median
30.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
51 years

Harley-davidson Fxe Mileage Distribution

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

Median
11,297 mi
75th Percentile
24,112 mi
95th Percentile
56,757 mi
Max Recorded
999,999 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Harley-davidson Fxe

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

Best year
1979

98.1% MOT pass rate from 53 tests

Year to avoid
1992

80.8% MOT pass rate from 52 tests

The best year to buy a used Harley-davidson Fxe is 1979, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 98.1% across 53 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.8% — 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 Fxe Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Harley-davidson Fxe THIS CAR 89.4% 907 11,297 mi 51 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
Alpine A110 Pure Auto 90.3% 597 15,157 mi — 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 Fxe sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Harley-davidson Fxe?

The Harley-davidson Fxe has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.4% across 907 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 Fxe are reflector on motorcycle missing (10 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (6), and direction indicator missing (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 Fxe owner drives around 524 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 Fxe models stay on UK roads for around 51 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 Fxe — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Harley-davidson Fxe reliable?
Based on 907 MOT tests, the Harley-davidson Fxe has a 89.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Harley-davidson Fxe?
The most common MOT failures are reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and direction indicator missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Harley-davidson Fxe do per year?
The typical Harley-davidson Fxe does around 524 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Harley-davidson Fxe last?
Most Harley-davidson Fxe models stay on UK roads for around 51 years based on our analysis of 123 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Harley-davidson Fxe?
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 Fxe?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Harley-davidson Fxe is 1979 with a 98.1% pass rate across 53 tests.